Explanations:Thomas Elyot (1490-1546) was a significant figure in the development of English prose during the early 16th century. He was a humanist scholar who sought to elevate the status of English as a literary language, particularly through his works on education and language. Elyot's contributions to English prose are notable for several reasons:
First, Elyot was a proponent of humanism, a philosophical and educational movement that emphasized the study of classical texts and the importance of education in the development of a well-rounded individual. He believed that the study of the classics could improve one's moral and intellectual character, and he sought to make these ideas accessible to a wider audience through his writings in English.
Second, Elyot's most famous work, "The Book Named the Governor" (1531), was a treatise on education and governance that was written in English. This work was significant because it was one of the first major works of prose to be written in English, rather than in Latin, which was the language of scholarship at the time. By writing in English, Elyot helped to establish English as a language capable of expressing complex ideas and arguments, thereby elevating its status as a literary language.
Third, Elyot's work on language and education was influential in the development of the English language. He was one of the first writers to compile a comprehensive dictionary of English words, "The Dictionary of the English Tongue" (1538), which helped to standardize the spelling and usage of English words. This work was important in the development of a standardized form of English that could be used for both literary and practical purposes.
It is important to note that while Thomas Elyot is recognized for his contributions to the development of English prose, he was not the only writer of his time who was working to elevate the status of English as a literary language. Other writers, such as Sir Thomas More and Sir Thomas Wyatt, were also contributing to the development of English prose during this period. However, Elyot's work was particularly significant because of its focus on education and the humanist ideals that he sought to promote through his writings.
In contrast, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, and William Shakespeare are all renowned for their contributions to English literature, but they are not specifically recognized for championing English prose in the same way that Thomas Elyot did. Chaucer is known for his contributions to English poetry, particularly his work "The Canterbury Tales," while Milton is renowned for his epic poetry, such as "Paradise Lost," and his prose works on religious and political topics. Shakespeare, on the other hand, is famous for his plays and sonnets, which are primarily in verse, and he did not champion English prose in the same way that Elyot did.
Therefore, Thomas Elyot is the correct answer to the question of who championed English prose, as his work was instrumental in elevating the status of English as a literary language and in establishing a standardized form of English that could be used for both literary and practical purposes.