What did John Lyly contribute to English theatre?

John Lyly is primarily recognized for his significant contributions to the genre known as Court Comedy. He was a playwright during the late 16th century and is best known for his works that were performed at the royal court, which often blended elements of comedy and romance. His plays featured intricate plots, witty dialogue, and a focus on the lives and loves of courtly characters, which greatly influenced the development of comedic forms in English theatre.

Lyly's work is marked by a specific style that combined elaborate language and rhetorical flourishes, setting a precedent for later playwrights, including Shakespeare. This emphasis on the court and its intrigues is what characterizes Court Comedy, making his contributions foundational in shaping theatrical forms that would thrive in the Elizabethan era.

In contrast, the other answers reference aspects not directly associated with Lyly's contributions. For example, realism is a concept that emerged much later, tragicomedy was developed by different playwrights after Lyly's time, and the establishment of the first professional theatre company is more closely linked to figures like Richard Burbage rather than Lyly himself. Therefore, his primary legacy is indeed the creation and refinement of Court Comedy in English theatre.