The pilgrimage to Parnassus with the two parts of The return from Parnassus

The present volume contains a trilogy of dramas which, though known to have once existed, have been in ruins since their composition, with the exception of the third part. The plays "Parnassus" are three satirical comedies or full-length academic dramas, each of which consists of five acts. These plays dated around from between 1598 and 1602. They were performed in London by students for student audiences as part of the Christmas celebrations at St John's College, Cambridge University. The author of these plays is unknown. For the most part, the plays are about the experiences of two students, Studioso and Philomusus. The first play tells about two pilgrims who set off for Parnassus. The plot is an allegory representing the story of two students taking a traditional course of study known as the trivium. The achievement of their education is represented by Mount Parnassus. The second play discards allegory and describes the unsuccessful attempts of two graduates to make a living, as does the third play, the only one to be published simultaneously. What's new in the third play is the seriousness of censorship issues.