1. Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
Presented by: Anel Gutierrez

2. Background __ Born in Canterbury, England
February 26, 1564 (day he was baptized)
Awarded scholarship to attend Corpus Christi College
Marlowe was frequently truant and was rumored a Catholic
College wanted to deny him his Master’s Degree
Privy Council (govt. body) sent a letter saying he had been working in govt. affairs

3. May or May Not Be a Spy…
Allegedly became part of Sir Francis Wallsingham’s Intelligence Service
Was absent from school for long periods of time…much longer than was allowed
Went to University on scholarship but had extravagant expenses in the dining hall
Regardless, Marlowe became a full time writer after his schooling

4. Literary Works : The Malta Jew
Like most of Marlowe’s work, this piece was controversial in the Elizabethan Era
Consisted of religious conflict, intrigue and revenge
Considered to have influenced Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice
First successful tragic comedy of its time.

5. Edward the II Tragedy about a weak and flawed Monarch
Specifically tells about England’s desposing of King Edward II
Influenced Shakespeare’s Richard II, King Henry IV, and King Henry V
Complete title: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer

6. Massacre at Paris Response Plot Play was full of gory action
Depicted St. Bartholomew Massacre of 1572
In which, French Royalty and Catholic nobles executed a large number of Protestants
Considered a dangerous play because people used it to justify the execution of refugees
At the end of the play the “English Agent” character warns the Queen of this possibility
The English Agent is thought to be Marlowe
Play was full of gory action
The characters were underdeveloped
The verses lacked quality
For these reasons the play was largely neglected

7. Most Famous Play: Doctor Faustus
Like the majority of Marlowe’s work, this play only survived in corrupt form
Tells about a doctor that sells his soul to Satan for knowledge and power
Throughout the play the “Good Angel” tries to convince the doctor to rethink his decision
But by the end the devil collects his soul and Doctor Faustus goes to hell

8. Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That Valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yield
Published in 1599
Speaker is inviting his love to live with him (lines 1-4)

9. Suspicious Arrest and Death
An arrest warrant for Marlowe issued on May 18, 1593
He had allegedly written libels threatening Protestants in London
Queen Elizabeth was Protestant
Marlowe was to go to trial May 20, he showed up but the council didn’t
Ten days later he was killed
For some time it was considered that he was stabbed in a bar over money
But in 1925 a coronary report revealed he had spent the day in a house with Ingram Frizer, Nicholas Skeres and Robert Poley
All three were employed by the Wallsinghams; the Queen’s spies
In a struggle, Marlowe was stabbed above his right eye and died
Frizer was pardoned as a jury ruled in his favor of self-defense

10. Two Question Quiz
Why would Queen Elizabeth want Marlowe killed?
How does Christopher Marlowe’s work compare to Shakespeare’s?