Introduction to Christopher Marlowe – Explained Simply
1. Birth and Early Life
•Christopher Marlowe was born in 1564, the same year as William Shakespeare.
•He studied at King's School, Canterbury and later at Cambridge University.
•He completed his M.A. (Master of Arts) degree in 1587.
2. His First Play – Tamburlaine the Great
•His first play Tamburlaine the Great Part I was performed in 1587, the same year he got his M.A.
•It was followed by Tamburlaine Part II.
•The play showed a new type of hero, a man with great ambition who wanted to conquer
everything.
•This idea of a man with extreme ambition became popular in other plays too.
•More importantly, this play helped to make blank verse (unrhymed lines of poetry) the main
style for English drama.
3. The Renaissance and His Success
•During this time, the Renaissance was happening, which was a period of new ideas, art, and
exploration.
•People were excited by stories of explorers and sea journeys.
•Marlowe's plays fit perfectly with this mood and became popular quickly.
4. Other Famous Plays by Marlowe
•His play The Jew of Malta was staged in 1589.
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, •His most famous and mature play, Doctor Faustus, was performed around 1592-93 (some say
1588 or 1589).
•At the same time, Shakespeare's play Henry VI, Part I was also being performed.
•Marlowe also wrote Edward II in 1592.
5. Marlowe's Personality and Religious Beliefs
•Marlowe was known to be violent, unruly, and had strong, unusual opinions.
•He often spoke against religion, which was very shocking in those times.
•People in those days highly respected religion, so his ideas were seen as dangerous.
6. His Arrest and Early Death
•In 1593, a warrant (official order) was issued to arrest him.
•He was accused of writing documents against religion.
•These papers were found with another writer, Thomas Kyd, who blamed Marlowe.
•But before the police could question him, Marlowe was killed in a fight at a tavern (inn/bar).
•He was only 29 years old at the time of his death.
7. His Place in Literature
•Even though Shakespeare was his contemporary (lived at the same time), Marlowe's work still
became famous.
•His play Doctor Faustus, along with his poems, made sure he remained respected in English
literature.
•His works are still studied and performed today.
8. Note for Students
This is a short introduction mainly to help you understand Doctor Faustus better.
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1. Birth and Early Life
•Christopher Marlowe was born in 1564, the same year as William Shakespeare.
•He studied at King's School, Canterbury and later at Cambridge University.
•He completed his M.A. (Master of Arts) degree in 1587.
2. His First Play – Tamburlaine the Great
•His first play Tamburlaine the Great Part I was performed in 1587, the same year he got his M.A.
•It was followed by Tamburlaine Part II.
•The play showed a new type of hero, a man with great ambition who wanted to conquer
everything.
•This idea of a man with extreme ambition became popular in other plays too.
•More importantly, this play helped to make blank verse (unrhymed lines of poetry) the main
style for English drama.
3. The Renaissance and His Success
•During this time, the Renaissance was happening, which was a period of new ideas, art, and
exploration.
•People were excited by stories of explorers and sea journeys.
•Marlowe's plays fit perfectly with this mood and became popular quickly.
4. Other Famous Plays by Marlowe
•His play The Jew of Malta was staged in 1589.
1
, •His most famous and mature play, Doctor Faustus, was performed around 1592-93 (some say
1588 or 1589).
•At the same time, Shakespeare's play Henry VI, Part I was also being performed.
•Marlowe also wrote Edward II in 1592.
5. Marlowe's Personality and Religious Beliefs
•Marlowe was known to be violent, unruly, and had strong, unusual opinions.
•He often spoke against religion, which was very shocking in those times.
•People in those days highly respected religion, so his ideas were seen as dangerous.
6. His Arrest and Early Death
•In 1593, a warrant (official order) was issued to arrest him.
•He was accused of writing documents against religion.
•These papers were found with another writer, Thomas Kyd, who blamed Marlowe.
•But before the police could question him, Marlowe was killed in a fight at a tavern (inn/bar).
•He was only 29 years old at the time of his death.
7. His Place in Literature
•Even though Shakespeare was his contemporary (lived at the same time), Marlowe's work still
became famous.
•His play Doctor Faustus, along with his poems, made sure he remained respected in English
literature.
•His works are still studied and performed today.
8. Note for Students
This is a short introduction mainly to help you understand Doctor Faustus better.
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