CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE AS A LITERAY FIGURE

Christopher Marlowe

 

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was a renowned English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. Christopher Marlowe was a groundbreaking playwright who revolutionized English drama with his innovative use of language, complex characters, and exploration of themes. Christopher Marlowe was a literary titan of the Elizabethan era, whose boundless imagination, poetic genius, and innovative spirit continue to captivate audiences and inspire writers to this day. With his masterful command of language, complex characters, and exploration of the human condition, Marlowe's plays and poems remain a testament to his enduring greatness. His influence on the English literary canon is immeasurable, shaping the works of Shakespeare and countless others. Marlowe's fearless experimentation, intellectual curiosity, and passionate creativity have cemented his place as one of the greatest writers in the English language, ensuring his works will continue to enthrall, provoke, and delight readers for generations to come. As critic J.B. Steane notes,

"Marlowe's plays are like a richly embroidered fabric, with every thread carefully woven into the pattern"

Here are some key characteristics of Marlowe as a literary figure:

 

INNOVATIVE PLAYWRIGHT:

Marlowe was a pioneer of English drama, introducing blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) and complex characters. Marlowe's bold experimentation with dramatic structure and his willingness to tackle controversial subjects also set him apart, as noted by Harold Bloom:

"Marlowe's plays are astonishingly original, and his originality is not just a matter of style, but of vision"

 

POETIC LANGUAGE:

Marlowe’s  writing is known for its poetic beauty, rich imagery, and eloquent language. Marlowe's poetic language is renowned for its beauty, complexity, and emotional power. His use of blank verse, rich imagery, and metaphorical expression created a unique and captivating style. As critic Harry Levin notes,

 

"Marlowe's language is a triumph of the auditory imagination, a symphony of sound and sense"

His words "dance in the ear" with a musical quality, observed by William Empson:

"Marlowe's verse is like a river, flowing and changing, with a life of its own"

 

TRAGIC HERO:

 

Marlowe's plays often feature a tragic hero, exploring themes of ambition, power, and downfall. Marlowe's tragic heroes are iconic figures, embodying both admirable and flawed qualities. As critic J.B. Steane notes,

 

 "Marlowe's heroes are not mere mortals, but titans, whose falls are catastrophic"

 

 Harold Bloom has correctly said commenting on Marlowe’s heroes,

 

 "Marlowe's heroes are rebels against the limitations of human nature"

 

. Their flaws, however, ultimately lead to their downfall, as noted by M.C. Bradbrook:

 

"Marlowe's heroes are destroyed by their own excesses, their tragic flaws"

 

 Through characters like Tamburlaine, Faustus, and Barabas, Marlowe explores the complexities of human nature, revealing the dangers of unchecked ambition and the devastating consequences of tragic flaws.

 

EXPLORATION OF HUMAN NATURE:

 

Marlowe’s works delve into human psychology, revealing complexities and flaws. Marlowe's works probe the depths of human nature, revealing its complexities, contradictions, and flaws. As critic William Empson notes,

 

 "Marlowe's plays are a search for the underlying truth of human nature"

 

He explores the tensions between reason and passion, as observed by Harry Levin:

 

"Marlowe's characters are torn between their intellect and their emotions"

 

Marlowe also examines the darker aspects of human nature, such as ambition, greed, and the lust for power. Through his characters' struggles and downfalls, Marlowe offers an extraordinary  portrayal of human nature, as observed by Harold Bloom:

 

"Marlowe's plays are a profound exploration of the human condition"

 

CLASSICAL INFLUENCES:

 Marlowe's works demonstrate a profound classical influence, reflecting his deep understanding of ancient Greek and Roman literature. As critic J.B. Steane notes,

"Marlowe's plays are steeped in classical learning"

His use of classical allusions, imagery, and themes, such as the concept of hubris, reveals a strong debt to authors like Ovid, Virgil, and Seneca, as observed by M.C. Bradbrook:

"Marlowe's classical learning is not mere decoration, but a source of inspiration"

MARLOWE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FIGURE  OF HIS AGE:

Christopher Marlowe was a typical example of the Elizabethan era. His plays show the good and bad things about that time. People back then were interested in power, success, and death. They were also creating new art and culture. Marlowe's plays capture the excitement and change of that era. England was going through big changes, like new religions, political secrets, and exploring new lands. Marlowe's plays show us what life was like back then, with all its good and bad points. He was a writer, poet, and spy, and his works are still important today because they show us how creative and curious people were during that time. As Harold Bloom has correctly said,

"Marlowe is the embodiment of the Renaissance spirit, with its passion for classical learning, its sense of wonder, and its unbridled ambition."

CONCLUSION

These characteristics demonstrate Marlowe's significant contribution to English literature, his innovative style, and his enduring influence on the literary world. Marlowe was, in fact the mouthpiece of the new age of the Renaissance. He was himself the lover of all those values which were held dear by the people of Renaissance. T.S. Eliot has correctly said appreciating Marlowe as a dramatist,

 "Marlowe's plays are remarkable for their dramatic power, their poetic beauty, and their profound insight into the human condition. He was a master of language, a virtuoso of verse, and a dramatist of unerring instinct."