CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

 CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

Introduction
Christopher Marlowe was the most important dramatist before Shakespeare in Elizabethan England. He was born in 1564, the same year as Shakespeare, and died young in 1593. Though his career was short, his contribution to English drama was immense. He brought a new seriousness and power to the stage. Marlowe’s plays are known for their bold themes, grand language, and passionate characters. He is often credited with perfecting the use of blank verse in English drama. He showed that plays could explore deep human desires and tragic struggles. His works influenced not only Shakespeare but many other writers of the period. He remains one of the major figures in the history of English literature.

 

Life and Background

Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury, Kent. He studied at the King's School and later at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He was a brilliant student and received a degree in 1587. There were rumours that he worked as a spy for the government during his university years. His life was filled with mystery and controversy. He was often in trouble for his beliefs and behaviour. He was accused of atheism and of speaking against religion. He lived in London and was close to writers and thinkers of the time. In 1593, he was killed in a tavern brawl under suspicious circumstances. Some believe his death was linked to political secrets. Though he lived only 29 years, his fame as a dramatist was already established.

 

Major Plays and Themes

Marlowe’s plays are famous for their tragic heroes, grand ambitions, and poetic style. His most famous play is Doctor Faustus, which tells the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. The play explores the conflict between human ambition and divine order. Faustus chooses desire over faith and suffers eternal damnation. Another powerful play is Tamburlaine the Great, in which a poor shepherd rises to become a mighty conqueror. The play praises ambition but also shows the cruelty of unchecked power. In The Jew of Malta, Marlowe presents a world of greed and betrayal, focusing on the character of Barabas, a rich Jew wronged by society. His last complete play, Edward II, is a historical tragedy that shows how personal relationships can destroy political power. Marlowe's plays often feature strong central figures who rise high and fall hard. He was interested in human desire, rebellion, pride, and the struggle between good and evil.

 

Use of Blank Verse and Style

One of Marlowe’s greatest achievements was his use of blank verse—unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. Before him, English drama often used clumsy and unnatural language. Marlowe made blank verse powerful, musical, and expressive. His lines have rhythm and beauty, full of passion and energy. In Doctor Faustus, he wrote lines like “Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,” which show both emotion and elegance. His style is known as the “mighty line”, a phrase used by Ben Jonson to describe the strength of his poetry. Marlowe’s language helped transform the English stage. He gave drama a poetic dignity it had never seen before. His speeches are filled with imagery, classical references, and emotional depth.

 

Marlowe’s Tragic Vision

All of Marlowe’s plays are tragedies, and they share a common vision. He presents heroes who are ambitious, intelligent, and brave. But they are also flawed, proud, and restless. They desire things beyond human limits—power, knowledge, or love—and they pay the price for it. Marlowe does not show clear moral judgment, but his plays suggest that going against divine or natural law leads to ruin. Faustus is not forced by fate but chooses his own downfall. Tamburlaine wins glory but becomes cruel. Edward II puts personal love above royal duty and loses everything. Marlowe’s tragedies reflect the tensions of the Renaissance—the excitement of human potential and the fear of moral failure. His plays are filled with inner conflict and dramatic tension.

 

Controversies and Personal Beliefs

Marlowe’s life and works were surrounded by controversy. He was accused of atheism, which was a serious crime in his time. Some of his writings suggest that he questioned religious beliefs and authority. There are also suggestions that he held unorthodox views on politics and morality. His characters often speak boldly against religion and tradition. Some scholars believe he wrote the controversial book The School of Night, a lost work linked to a group of free thinkers. Because of these views, Marlowe was watched by the government. His sudden death in 1593 raised many questions. Some think he was murdered to silence him. Others believe he faked his death to escape danger. His personal life remains a mystery, but his works show a mind that was daring, intelligent, and ahead of his time.

 

Marlowe and Shakespeare

Marlowe and Shakespeare were born in the same year, but Marlowe started writing earlier. Many believe that Shakespeare learned much from Marlowe, especially about dramatic structure and poetic style. Marlowe showed how the English stage could present grand themes and complex characters. Without Marlowe’s bold example, Shakespeare might not have become the writer he was. In plays like Richard III and Macbeth, we see the influence of Marlowe’s tragic vision. Some scholars even suggest that Shakespeare and Marlowe may have worked together or that Marlowe influenced some of Shakespeare’s early plays. Though their styles differ, both writers helped shape the golden age of English drama.

 

Legacy and Influence

Christopher Marlowe's legacy is strong and lasting. He changed the nature of English drama by introducing passion, poetry, and philosophical depth. His bold characters and powerful language set new standards for the theatre. His influence can be seen in Shakespeare, Milton, and later Romantic poets. Though he died young, his work remains central to the study of English literature. His plays are still performed and studied for their beauty, thought, and dramatic power. Marlowe opened the door to modern drama. He gave voice to the new spirit of the Renaissance—the desire to explore, to question, and to create.

 

Conclusion
Christopher Marlowe was a pioneer of English tragedy and poetic drama. He brought to the stage a new kind of hero, one driven by ambition and desire. His blank verse gave English drama a powerful poetic voice. His themes were bold, his characters unforgettable. He questioned the world around him and dared to write about things that others feared. Though his life was short, his impact was deep. He stands among the giants of English literature. His plays remain alive with energy, struggle, and truth. Marlowe’s voice still speaks to us today—of greatness, failure, and the daring human spirit.

References

Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the English-Speaking World. Anboco, 2016.

Albert, Edward. History of English Literature. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Riggs, David. The World of Christopher Marlowe. Faber and Faber, 2004.

Kuriyama, Constance Brown. Christopher Marlowe: A Renaissance Life. Cornell University Press, 2002.

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