Christopher Marlowe

Description: (Playwright, Poet)

Christopher Marlowe was an English playwright, poet, and translator, who lived and worked in the Elizabethan era. He was born to a father who was a shoemaker. Christopher was a contemporary of William Shakespeare, who attributed him to be a great influence on him but became a more successful playwright. Christopher’s master’s degree was mired in controversy, as the ‘Privy Council’ had pushed the university management to award him a degree on behalf of his “services” to the Queen. This led people to believe that he was a secret government spy. He went on forging a career as a playwright. Two of his initial plays were ‘Dido, Queen of Carthage’ and ‘Tamburlaine the Great.’ However, he mostly wrote plays on controversial themes. Several of his plays, such as ‘The Jew of Malta’ and ‘The Massacre at Paris,’ dealt with themes that were not looked upon very kindly by society. In May 1593, he was arrested and was put on trial. He was stabbed to death by a British businessman named Ingram Frizer a few days later.

Overview

Birthday February 26, 0 (Pisces)
Born In England
Alternative names Kit Marlowe
Died on May 30, 0
Parents John Marlowe
Catherine Arthur, Catherine Marlowe
Relatives Thomas Morley

Did you know

What is Christopher Marlowe's most famous work? Christopher Marlowe's most famous work is "Doctor Faustus," a play about a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power.
Was Christopher Marlowe a contemporary of William Shakespeare? Yes, Christopher Marlowe was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Both playwrights were active in the late 16th century in England.
Did Christopher Marlowe write any poetry? Yes, Christopher Marlowe was also known for his poetry. One of his most famous poems is "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love."
What is the controversy surrounding Christopher Marlowe's death? There is a theory that Christopher Marlowe's death in 1593 was faked, and that he continued to write under the name of William Shakespeare. This theory is known as the "Marlovian theory."
Why is Christopher Marlowe considered a significant figure in English literature? Christopher Marlowe is considered a significant figure in English literature because of his contributions to the development of Elizabethan drama and his influence on later playwrights, including William Shakespeare.
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