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Heywood's Dual Cultural Role
- John Heywood linked two major cultural shifts in early 1500s England: secular comedy and proverb collecting.
- His dual role shows how literature and oral culture shaped early modern English vocabulary and sayings.
Erasmus Popularized Ancient Proverbs
- Erasmus's Adagia popularized thousands of ancient proverbs across Europe and influenced English usage.
- Translators and printers spread these adages into vernaculars, shaping common English sayings.
Heywood Started As Court Playwright
- John Heywood was known first as a playwright and court entertainer before focusing on proverbs.
- His plays helped shift English drama from religious to secular forms leading toward Shakespearean theatre.