Biography of Christopher Marlowe

The Legacy of Christopher Marlowe: 

Exploring the Works and Impact of a Renaissance Master

 I. Introduction

A. Background Information on Christopher Marlowe
B. Importance of Christopher Marlowe in English Literature
C. Thesis statement

 

II. Marlowe's Work and Contributions

A. Marlowe's Plays

1. Doctor Faustus
2. Tamburlaine the Great
3. The Jew of Malta

B. Marlowe's Contribution to English Literature

1. Exploration of Human Nature
2. Use of Blank Verse
3. Influence on the English Language

 

III. Marlowe's Impact and Legacy

A. Influence on Other Writers and Artists
B. Continued Study and Performance of Marlowe's Work
C. Marlowe's Place in the English Renaissance
D. Marlowe's Legacy in Modern Culture

 

IV. Controversies and Mysteries Surrounding Marlowe

A. Marlowe's Alleged Atheism
B. Marlowe's Death and Supposed Survival
C. Theories about Marlowe's Influence on Shakespeare

 

V. Conclusion

A. Summary of Marlowe's Work and Contributions
B. Importance of Marlowe's Legacy
C. Final Thoughts

 

Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe was an English playwright, poet, and translator who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of English drama. He lived during the late 16th century, a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in England, and his work helped to lay the foundations for the Elizabethan theatre.

 

Early Life and Education

 

Marlowe was born in Canterbury, England in 1564, the same year as William Shakespeare, although there is no evidence that the two ever met. He was the second son of John Marlowe, a shoemaker, and his wife Catherine. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was educated at the King's School in Canterbury and then received a scholarship to study at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. There, he studied classics and earned his bachelor's degree in 1584 and his master's degree in 1587.

 

Career and Works

 

Marlowe's career as a writer began during his time at Cambridge, where he wrote poetry and translated classical works into English. His first play, "Dido, Queen of Carthage," was written around 1587 and was performed by the Children of the Chapel, a popular troupe of child actors. The play is a retelling of the story of Dido and Aeneas from Virgil's "Aeneid" and features themes of love, betrayal, and political intrigue.

 

Marlowe's most famous work, "Doctor Faustus," was written in the early 1590s and is based on the German legend of Faust, a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. The play explores themes of ambition, temptation, and morality and is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of English Renaissance drama. Another notable work is "Tamburlaine the Great," a two-part play about the rise and fall of the eponymous conqueror, which was first performed in 1587.

 

Marlowe's plays were known for their grandeur and spectacle, with lavish costumes, elaborate sets, and impressive special effects. They were also characterized by their use of blank verse, a form of poetry that does not rhyme but uses a regular meter, which Marlowe helped to popularize. His use of powerful language and vivid imagery helped to create a sense of excitement and intensity that was new to the theatre.

 

Personal Life and Controversies

 

Marlowe's personal life was marked by controversy and scandal. He was known to be a heavy drinker and a frequent brawler, and he was once arrested for his involvement in a street fight. He was also rumored to be a spy for the English government, and there were rumors that he was involved in atheism and blasphemy.

 

In 1593, Marlowe was arrested in connection with a murder, although the circumstances of his death are unclear. Some reports suggest that he was killed in a dispute over a bar bill, while others suggest that he was assassinated for his involvement in espionage. Whatever the cause of his death, it is clear that Marlowe's life was cut tragically short, and his contributions to English literature were only just beginning to be recognized.

 

Legacy

 

Despite his short career, Marlowe's influence on English literature was significant. His use of blank verse and his exploration of complex themes and characters helped to pave the way for the great Elizabethan playwrights who followed him, including Shakespeare himself. Marlowe's work also had a profound impact on the development of the English language, helping to shape the modern form of the language that we use today.

 

Today, Marlowe is remembered as one of the greatest playwrights of the English Renaissance, and his works continue to be performed and studied around the world. His plays are often performed alongside those of Shakespeare, and many scholars consider him to be Shakespeare's greatest rival. Marlowe's plays have been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, and his influence can be seen in the work of many modern playwrights and writers.

 

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Marlowe's life and work. Scholars have explored his political and religious beliefs, his relationships with other writers and artists, and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. Some have even suggested that Marlowe may have survived his supposed death and continued to write under a pseudonym, although there is little evidence to support this theory.

 

Despite the mysteries that surround his life and death, Christopher Marlowe's legacy as a writer and a pioneer of English drama remains secure. His works continue to be read and performed, and his influence on English literature and language is undeniable. As one of the greatest writers of his time, Marlowe helped to shape the course of English literature and paved the way for generations of great writers to come.

Exploration of Human Nature

One of the most notable aspects of Marlowe's work is his exploration of the human condition and the complexities of human nature. His plays often feature protagonists who are flawed and conflicted, struggling with their own ambitions, desires, and moral convictions. In "Doctor Faustus," for example, the eponymous character sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power, but ultimately realizes too late the price he must pay for his bargain.

 

Marlowe's influence can also be seen in his impact on the development of the English language itself. His use of blank verse, a form of poetry that does not rhyme but uses a regular meter, helped to popularize this form of writing and paved the way for other writers, including Shakespeare, to experiment with it. Marlowe's work also helped to shape the modern form of the English language, particularly in terms of its vocabulary and syntax.

 

Despite his relatively short career, Marlowe's contributions to English literature and drama are immeasurable. His plays continue to be performed and studied around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest writers of his time remains secure. While his untimely death may have cut short his career, Marlowe's influence on English language and literature has endured, and he continues to be celebrated as a master of the English Renaissance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Christopher Marlowe was a pioneering figure in the development of English drama and literature during the Elizabethan era. His plays, including "Doctor Faustus" and "Tamburlaine the Great," were known for their grandeur, spectacle, and exploration of complex themes and characters. Marlowe's use of blank verse and vivid language helped to create a sense of excitement and intensity that was new to the theatre, and his contributions to English language and literature continue to be felt to this day. While his life was marked by controversy and scandal, Marlowe's legacy as one of the greatest playwrights of the English Renaissance is secure, and his works continue to be celebrated and studied around the world.