Today’s article focuses on Christopher Marlowe, a key figure and dramatist of the Elizabethan period. We will delve into his biography and explore some of his most renowned works. The discussion will include summaries of selected dramas and poems, followed by critical analyses.
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Christopher Marlowe: A Biography
Christopher Marlowe was born on February 26, 1564, in Canterbury, Kent, England, and became one of the most influential playwrights and poets of the Elizabethan era. His life was filled with controversy, marked by rumors of espionage, atheism, and possible involvement in illicit activities, all of which led to conflicts with authorities. Marlowe’s life ended tragically on May 30, 1593, in Deptford, Kent, at the age of 29. He was fatally stabbed in a tavern under mysterious circumstances. Despite his brief life, his works left a profound impact on English Renaissance drama.
Education
Christopher Marlowe began his education at The King’s School in Canterbury before winning a scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he studied from 1580 to 1587. His time at Cambridge was pivotal, providing him with the intellectual foundation that influenced his later career as a playwright and poet.
Occupation
Christopher Marlowe was primarily an English playwright and poet, but he is also believed to have been involved in diplomatic and intelligence work, potentially serving as a spy for the Elizabethan government.
Major Works of Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe’s contributions to Elizabethan drama are considered groundbreaking, and his influence on English literature endures. His notable plays include:
- Doctor Faustus (1592)
- Tamburlaine the Great, Parts 1 and 2 (1587-1588)
- Edward II (1592)
- The Jew of Malta (1589)
His most famous poem, Hero and Leander (1593), was left unfinished at his death but was later completed by George Chapman.
Writing Style
Christopher Marlowe is known for his innovative use of blank verse, especially unrhymed iambic pentameter, which became a hallmark of Elizabethan drama. His works often delve into grand, heroic themes such as ambition, power, and the complexities of the human condition. Marlowe was also skilled in using dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters, and tragedy, with many of his protagonists suffering from their flaws or excessive ambition. His plays are also noted for their lyrical, poetic language.
Marital Life
There is no historical record of Christopher Marlowe being married. No evidence has been found to suggest he had a spouse or children, and details of his personal life remain elusive. Most accounts focus on his work and the mystery surrounding his untimely death, leaving much of his private life undocumented.
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Today, we will explore the renowned Elizabethan play Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. We’ll begin by discussing a detailed summary of Doctor Faustus, and finally, examine the themes of irony and tragedy in the play.
Christopher Marlowe is considered one of the pioneers of Elizabethan drama, with works such as Tamburlaine the Great, The Jew of Malta, Edward II, and Doctor Faustus. He was part of the University Wits, a group of talented playwrights including Robert Greene, Thomas Nashe, Thomas Lodge, and George Peele. Marlowe completed his education at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. His invention of the “mighty line,” or blank verse, became highly influential and was later adopted by William Shakespeare. Tragically, Marlowe’s life was cut short when he died at 29 under mysterious circumstances. Now, let’s dive into Doctor Faustus.
Summary of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe is considered a defining moment in English tragedy. The play was written for the Admiral’s Men and draws from the German legend of a scholar who seeks to expand his knowledge by delving into dark magic. The full title of the play is The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. It consists of five acts and centers on Dr. Faustus, a brilliant scholar dissatisfied with traditional knowledge. He makes a pact with Lucifer, trading his soul for 24 years of service from the demon Mephistopheles.
The term “Faustian Bargain” originates from this play, referring to someone who exchanges their soul for worldly gain. Before diving into the plot, let’s review the key characters of the play. The protagonist is Dr. Faustus, accompanied by his servant Wagner. There are also the Good and Bad Angels, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Faustus’ magician friends Valdes and Cornelius, the Seven Deadly Sins, the German Emperor Charles V, and the Duke of Vanholt.
Now, let’s look at the plot of Doctor Faustus. Dr. Faustus, a respected scholar, feels unsatisfied with his expertise in medicine, law, and theology. He desires knowledge beyond human comprehension, leading him to black magic. The Good Angel tries to dissuade him from his dark ambitions, while the Bad Angel urges him to continue. Faustus’ friends, Valdes and Cornelius, teach him magic, and he eventually summons Mephistopheles.
Faustus demands that Mephistopheles become his servant, but Mephistopheles explains that this can only happen with Lucifer’s approval. Mephistopheles recounts the fall of Lucifer from Heaven, and Faustus eagerly agrees to sell his soul in exchange for 24 years of service from Mephistopheles. After signing the pact with his blood, Faustus sees the words “homo” (man) and “fuge” (fly) imprinted on his arm, which serves as a reminder of his bargain with the devil. Despite this, he is distracted by the rewards Mephistopheles gives him, including magical books and answers to his questions.
However, when Faustus asks who created the universe, Mephistopheles remains silent, as the devil cannot acknowledge God. This silence causes Faustus to question his decision. To distract him, Mephistopheles summons the Seven Deadly Sins, which entertain Faustus. With newfound powers, Faustus performs tricks such as making himself invisible and playing pranks on the Pope in Rome. He also travels to the court of Emperor Charles V, where he conjures an image of Alexander the Great to impress the emperor. Faustus continues to perform magic, including a trick involving a horse that turns to straw and entertains the Duke of Vanholt.
As the 24 years of Faustus’ pact come to a close, he begins to fear death. In a moment of despair, he summons the spirit of Helen of Troy to impress scholars. An old man urges him to repent, but Faustus dismisses him. In the final hours of his life, the two angels return. The Good Angel offers him a glimpse of Heaven, while the Bad Angel shows him Hell. Overcome with remorse, Faustus tries to repent, but it is too late. The devils arrive at midnight to claim his soul, and Faustus is dragged to Hell. His body is found the next morning, and though the scholars mourn his death, they still give him a funeral despite his sins.
Irony and Tragedy of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Now that you are familiar with the plot, let’s analyze the play’s great irony and tragedy. Doctor Faustus illustrates the consequences of rejecting God. Despite his vast knowledge in fields like medicine, law, and theology, Faustus seeks to master black magic, attempting to achieve godlike power. The irony lies in the fact that in rejecting God, he seeks to replace Him. Faustus desires to become like God, yet in doing so, he denies the very source of his being.
The tragedy of Doctor Faustus is that Faustus willingly brings suffering upon himself. His ambitious desires lead to his downfall. The play demonstrates that the greater a man’s ambitions, the more he risks losing his humanity. Faustus signs a pact with the devil in the hopes of gaining absolute power, but this only results in his mental and spiritual decline. Mephistopheles distracts him from the truth, refusing to answer questions about the creation of the universe and denying him a wife because marriage is a divine sacrament.
Over the 24 years of his pact, Faustus accomplishes nothing meaningful. Despite his quest for greater knowledge and power, he ultimately ends up in despair. In the final moments of his life, he realizes too late the gravity of his actions, but his repentance comes too late to save him. Doctor Faustus shows that in his desire to oppose God, Faustus fails to realize that true power comes not from defying divine will but from accepting it.
Tambulaine, the Great (1587) by Christopher Marlowe
Today, we’ll delve into Tamburlaine the Great, one of Christopher Marlowe’s most renowned works. Written during the late 16th century, at the height of the Elizabethan era, this play chronicles the remarkable rise of Tamburlaine, a shepherd who ascends to become one of the most formidable conquerors in history.
Act One
Act One introduces Tamburlaine as a simple shepherd harboring grand ambitions to rule the world. He boldly declares his dreams to his companions and embarks on a journey of conquest. His first major encounter is with the King of Persia and his army. Despite being outnumbered, Tamburlaine defeats them, establishing his reputation as a fearless and strategic warrior. His victories quickly garner a loyal following of soldiers.
Tamburlaine’s romantic storyline also begins in this act, as he meets and falls in love with Zenocrate, the daughter of the Egyptian Sultan. This relationship becomes a central thread throughout the play. A memorable line from Act One, “I hold the fates bound fast in iron chains, and with my hand turns the wheel of destiny,” reveals Tamburlaine’s belief in his control over destiny and unwavering confidence in his path to greatness.
Act Two
Act Two follows Tamburlaine as he continues his conquests, now targeting the Egyptian Sultan. After triumphing in battle, he captures both the Sultan and Zenocrate. While Zenocrate struggles with her loyalty to her father and her affection for Tamburlaine, she ultimately pledges her allegiance to him. Tamburlaine’s ambition intensifies as he sets his sights on Babylon, emerging victorious after another fierce battle. Declaring himself Emperor of Babylon, he grows more ruthless in his rule. A pivotal line from this act, “Nature that framed us of four elements… doth teach us all to have aspiring minds,” reflects Tamburlaine’s belief in humanity’s inherent drive to seek power. This act also introduces Bajazeth, the defeated Ottoman Emperor, and his wife Zabina, both of whom seek revenge for their humiliation at Tamburlaine’s hands.
Act Three
In Act Three, Tamburlaine’s campaign extends to the city of Damascus, where he secures yet another victory. Zabina and her husband Bajazeth conspire to reclaim their thrones and defeat Tamburlaine, while new alliances are formed against him, such as that between Callapine, Bajazeth’s son, and the Persian king. This act highlights Tamburlaine’s increasing ruthlessness and the growing opposition he faces. His line, “So from a shepherd to a king I pass, crowned by the mightiest monarch of the earth,” encapsulates his journey from obscurity to unmatched power.
Act Four
Act Four brings greater challenges as Tamburlaine battles the combined forces of the Ottoman Empire and Persia. Despite setbacks, he triumphs again, even keeping Bajazeth imprisoned in a cage. Zenocrate, meanwhile, attempts to temper Tamburlaine’s unrelenting ambition, but her efforts are in vain. A striking line from this act, “The world is not enough for Tamburlaine,” underscores his insatiable hunger for conquest. Themes of loyalty and betrayal also surface as former allies, like the Persian king Mycetes, turn against him.
Act Five
Finally, in Act Five, the play reaches its tragic climax. Tamburlaine faces overwhelming odds but remains undeterred. Although he wins the final battle, it comes at a devastating cost: Zenocrate is killed. Grief-stricken, Tamburlaine begins to reflect on the futility of his conquests and the price of his relentless pursuit of power. His followers also start to question his leadership, signaling the fragility of his rule. A poignant line, “Nature that framed us of four elements… doth teach us all to have aspiring minds,” revisits the theme of ambition, now viewed through a more somber lens. Tamburlaine’s death marks the end of his reign, leaving behind a legacy of both greatness and tragedy.
Through Tamburlaine the Great, Marlowe explores the duality of ambition—its power to inspire greatness and its capacity to lead to destruction. The play is a masterful examination of leadership, loyalty, and the consequences of unbridled desire for power. This tragic yet compelling tale showcases Marlowe’s unmatched ability to craft complex characters and intricate conflicts.
We hope you found this summary of Tamburlaine the Great insightful and engaging!
The Jew of Malta (1589) by Christopher Marlowe
The play begins with a prologue delivered by a character named Machiavel, a satirical representation of Niccolò Machiavelli. Machiavel introduces the story as a tragedy centered on a wealthy Jewish merchant whose fortune stems from following Machiavelli’s principles.
Act One
Act One starts with Barabbas, the Jewish merchant, awaiting news about the return of his ships from the East. He learns that his fleet has safely docked in Malta. Soon after, three fellow Jews arrive to summon him to the Senate house to meet with the governor. At this meeting, Barabbas discovers that all Jewish residents of the island must surrender half their wealth to help fund a tribute payment to the Turks. When Barabbas protests against this unfair demand, Governor Ferneze confiscates all of his property and converts Barabbas’s house into a convent. Enraged, Barabbas vows revenge but first devises a plan to recover the treasure he has hidden in his home.
Barabbas’s daughter Abigail feigns conversion to Christianity so she can enter the convent and smuggle out his hidden gold. Meanwhile, Ferneze negotiates with Del Bosco, a Spanish vice-admiral seeking to sell Turkish slaves in the Maltese market. Del Bosco persuades Ferneze to sever ties with the Turks in exchange for Spanish military protection.
Act Two
During the slave market, Barabbas meets Lodowick, Ferneze’s son, who has heard of Abigail’s beauty from his friend and Abigail’s lover, Matthias. Sensing an opportunity for revenge, Barabbas tricks Lodowick into believing that Abigail is available for marriage. At the same time, Barabbas purchases a slave named Ithamore, who shares his hatred of Christians. Matthias confronts Barabbas about Lodowick, and Barabbas deceives him, making both young men think they have been promised Abigail’s hand. Barabbas manipulates Abigail into becoming engaged to Lodowick, setting the stage for a rivalry between the two men. By the end of Act Two, Matthias and Lodowick prepare for a duel, each believing the other has betrayed him.
Act Three
Act Three introduces Bellamira, a sex worker, and her pimp, Pilia-Borza. Struggling with declining business, they plot to steal some of Barabbas’s wealth. Meanwhile, Ithamore falls in love with Bellamira. Elsewhere, the duel orchestrated by Barabbas leads to Matthias and Lodowick killing each other. Their grieving parents, Katherine and Ferneze, vow to avenge their sons’ deaths. Abigail, horrified by her father’s role in the tragedy, confronts Ithamore, who confirms Barabbas’s schemes. Abigail, overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow, seeks refuge in a convent once again, genuinely converting to Christianity. Enraged by her betrayal, Barabbas poisons food meant for the convent, killing all the nuns, including Abigail.
In another development, Ferneze informs a Turkish emissary that he will no longer pay tribute, prompting a warning that the Ottoman leader, Calymath, will invade Malta. Meanwhile, Abigail, on her deathbed, confesses her father’s crimes to Friar Jacomo. However, since her revelations occur during confession, Jacomo is bound to secrecy.
Act Four
In Act Four, Barabbas and Ithamore celebrate the deaths of the nuns, but Jacomo and another friar, Bernardine, confront Barabbas. Pretending to convert to Christianity, Barabbas offers to donate his wealth to whichever monastery he joins. Jacomo and Bernardine quarrel over this potential gain. Exploiting the situation, Barabbas lures Bernardine to his home, where Ithamore strangles him. Barabbas then frames Jacomo for the murder.
Later, Bellamira and Pilia-Borza conspire with Ithamore to extort Barabbas. However, when Ithamore betrays his master’s crimes, Barabbas takes matters into his own hands. Disguised as a French musician, Barabbas poisons Bellamira, Pilia-Borza, and Ithamore with a deadly flower.
Act Five
Act Five escalates quickly. Before dying, Bellamira and Pilia-Borza confess Barabbas’s crimes to Ferneze. Barabbas, captured and seemingly executed, fakes his death and escapes. Seeking revenge, he allies with Calymath and helps the Ottomans conquer Malta. The Turkish leader rewards Barabbas by appointing him governor of the island. However, fearing betrayal, Barabbas secretly plots with Ferneze, promising to overthrow the Turks in exchange for wealth. Ferneze agrees, and Barabbas sets a trap for Calymath.
During a feast, Barabbas attempts to kill Calymath, but Ferneze thwarts his plan. In a final twist, Barabbas falls into the cauldron he had prepared for Calymath, meeting his own demise. Ferneze imprisons Calymath, vowing to hold him until the Ottoman Empire agrees to free Malta.
This dark and complex tale explores themes of greed, revenge, and the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. It masterfully portrays the moral decay of its characters while reflecting the dramatic flair characteristic of Elizabethan tragedy.
The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe
This is a summary of the poem The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe. Below are the key points of the poem:
Written in 1590, this pastoral poem celebrates the simplicity, romance, and charm of life in the countryside. The speaker, a shepherd, attempts to persuade his beloved to join him in living an idyllic rural life. Set in the spring season, the poem highlights the pleasures of nature and romantic companionship.
The poem opens with the shepherd addressing his beloved:
“Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods or steepy mountain yields.”
Here, the shepherd invites his love to experience the beauty of the countryside. He describes their life together as one filled with natural wonders such as valleys, groves, fields, and mountains. He paints a picture of serene moments spent sitting on rocks, watching shepherds tend to their flocks by rivers, and listening to the melodious songs of birds. The term Madrigal refers to a type of song, that the speaker imagines they will enjoy in each other’s company.
In the following lines, the shepherd offers a vision of the gifts he would give his beloved:
“And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;
A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair-lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold.”
Here, the shepherd promises to create a life of comfort and beauty for his beloved. He would make her a bed of roses, a crown of flowers, and a dress adorned with myrtle leaves. He also vows to fashion her a gown from the softest wool of his lambs and slippers lined for warmth, with golden buckles to add elegance.
Continuing, he adds:
“A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.”
The shepherd extends his promises, offering a belt made of straw and ivy, clasped with coral and adorned with amber. He repeats his request, urging his beloved to join him in the countryside if these delights appeal to her.
The poem concludes with:
“The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning;
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.”
The shepherd promises that each morning in May, shepherd boys will sing and dance to bring her joy. He concludes by reiterating his plea for her to embrace the rural life with him, filled with nature’s splendor and his love.
In summary, The Passionate Shepherd to His Love is a romantic and idealized depiction of life in the countryside, where love and nature intertwine to create a vision of harmony and bliss. Through his promises and imagery, the shepherd seeks to charm his beloved into joining him in this pastoral paradise.
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