Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit
Quick Summary
Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1578) is a prose romance by John Lyly. It tells a romantic story through letters and discussions on topics like love and religion. Lyly's distinctive writing style, characterized by careful word choice, classical similes, and an artificial, elegant prose, gave rise to a literary trend known as euphuism. This style, though short-lived, was influential in the development of English prose, offering a lighter, more fanciful alternative to earlier writing. The term "euphuism" itself comes from the name of the novel's main character, Euphues, meaning "witty".123
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