Author
Christopher Marlowe
1564-1593
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Christopher Marlowe
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus From the Quarto of 1604
"The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe is an Elizabethan tragedy written in the late 16th century and first performed around 1594. A scholar sells his soul to the devil in exchange for magical powers, facilitated by the demon Mephistopheles. The play follows Faustus's rise as a magician and his ultimate downfall as damnation approaches. Blending classical tragedy with Elizabethan drama, it explores ambition, the limits of knowledge, Christian theology, and Renaissance humanism. The work survives in two distinct versions with ongoing scholarly debate about their significance.
Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1
"Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1" by Christopher Marlowe is a play written in 1587 or 1588. This groundbreaking Elizabethan drama follows a Scythian shepherd who rises through cunning and conquest to become emperor of Persia. Tamburlaine defeats Persian rulers, captures the Turkish emperor and uses him as a footstool, then conquers Africa before claiming Damascus. The play revolutionized English drama with its vivid language and blank verse, demonstrating unprecedented theatrical power and ambition that would influence playwrights for decades.
The Jew of Malta
"The Jew of Malta" by Christopher Marlowe is a play written in 1589 or 1590. It follows Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant in Malta who loses everything when the governor seizes his wealth to pay tribute to the Turks. Consumed by revenge, Barabas embarks on a murderous campaign of manipulation and betrayal that spirals into increasingly deadly schemes. Set against Mediterranean power struggles, the play explores religious conflict and moral corruption across faiths, questioning whether any character—Christian, Jewish, or Muslim—truly lives by their professed principles.
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus From the Quarto of 1616
"The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe is an Elizabethan tragedy written in the late 16th century and first performed around 1594. A scholar sells his soul to the devil in exchange for magical power, rising to greatness through his pact with Lucifer and the demon Mephistopheles. As Faustus wields his newfound abilities, he faces an ultimate reckoning when the price of his bargain comes due. This influential work explores ambition, the limits of knowledge, and the perilous cost of desire.
The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 (of 3)
"The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 (of 3)" by Christopher Marlowe is a collection of poetic works and plays written in the late 16th century. This volume includes some of Marlowe's most significant contributions to English literature, such as "Hero and Leander," which draws on themes of love, longing, and tragedy, and explores the fabled romance between Hero and Leander. The collection showcases Marlowe's blend of lyrical beauty and dramatic intensity, inviting readers into the complexities of human emotions and mythical narratives. The opening of this volume introduces "Hero and Leander," beginning with a vivid depiction of Hero, described as a stunningly beautiful maiden and a nun of Venus, residing in Sestos, who captures the adoration of the young Leander from Abydos. Their fateful love story is set against the backdrop of the Hellespont, where the trials and tribulations of their romance unfold. Through rich imagery and rhythmic prose, Marlowe captures the initial enchantment and tension between the characters, hinting at the inevitable tragedy that love can bring. The section primes readers for the emotional depth and lyrical elegance that characterize Marlowe's approach to storytelling, setting the stage for a haunting exploration of passion and despair.
Tamburlaine the Great — Part 2
"Tamburlaine the Great — Part 2" by Christopher Marlowe is a play written in 1587 or 1588. Continuing the story of the Scythian shepherd turned emperor, this sequel follows Tamburlaine as he grooms his sons for conquest while waging relentless war across kingdoms. When his oldest son refuses to fight, family loyalty collides with imperial ambition. As enemies seek revenge and Tamburlaine commits increasingly savage acts, his insatiable hunger for power drives him toward a final, fateful reckoning that will test even his legendary strength.
Massacre at Paris
"Massacre at Paris" by Christopher Marlowe is an Elizabethan play from 1593. The work dramatizes the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572, focusing on the violent clash between Catholics and Huguenots in Paris. The Duke of Guise orchestrates a brutal campaign against Protestant nobles, beginning with a royal wedding that masks deadly intentions. As assassination plots unfold and massacres spread through the city, the play traces shifting alliances between French kings and the conflicts that lead to blood-soaked revenge and political upheaval.
Hero and Leander
"Hero and Leander" by Christopher Marlowe is a poem written in the late 16th century that retells the Greek myth of two young lovers separated by the Hellespont. Hero, a chaste priestess of Venus in Sestos, meets Leander from Abydos at a festival. He falls desperately in love and convinces her to abandon her vow of chastity. Each night, guided by her lamp, Leander swims across the dangerous strait to reach her tower. Their passion unfolds amid extravagant imagery and violent emotion, but Marlowe's sudden death left the poem unfinished.
The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)
"The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3)" by Christopher Marlowe is a collection of plays written during the late 16th century. This volume includes significant works such as "The Jew of Malta" and "Edward the Second," showcasing Marlowe's talents in dramatic storytelling and character development. The primary themes revolve around ambition, betrayal, and the complexities of human motivations, encapsulated through memorable characters like the cunning Barabas in "The Jew of Malta." At the start of "The Jew of Malta," we are introduced to Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant in Malta, who is initially counting his considerable wealth. The narrative quickly unfolds to reveal his abject anger and despair as the governor of Malta seizes half of his riches to pay a debt to the Turks. Barabas's character is marked by his manipulative tendencies and resentment towards the Christians who oppress him. The opening sets the stage for Barabas's schemes for revenge against those who have wronged him, foreshadowing the dark and dramatic turns that will follow in the story. Through Barabas and other characters, the themes of greed and vengeance are established, promising a tale rife with intrigue and conflict.
Edward the Second
"Edward the Second" by Christopher Marlowe is a Renaissance play written in the early 1590s. It dramatizes the turbulent reign of King Edward II, whose passionate devotion to his favorite, Piers Gaveston, ignites conflict with rebellious nobles. As the king's attachment alienates both his court and Queen Isabella, the struggle for power spirals toward betrayal and violence. The play explores the fatal consequences of favoritism, forbidden desire, and political ambition in a kingdom tearing itself apart.
The Tragedy of Dido Queene of Carthage
"The Tragedy of Dido Queene of Carthage" by Christopher Marlowe is a play written between 1587 and 1593. Based on Virgil's Aeneid, it dramatizes the passionate tale of Dido, Queen of Carthage, whose love for the Trojan hero Aeneas is ignited by Cupid's arrow. As divine forces manipulate mortal hearts and destinies collide, Aeneas must choose between love and his fated journey to Italy, leaving devastation in his wake.
Hero and Leander and Other Poems
"Hero and Leander and Other Poems" by Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman is a poem first published in 1598. It retells the Greek myth of two young lovers separated by the Hellespont, a narrow sea strait. Hero, a priestess devoted to Venus, meets Leander at a festival. He falls desperately in love and promises to swim across the treacherous waters each night to reach her tower. Their passionate encounters unfold with extravagant emotion and violent intensity, but Marlowe's untimely death left the poem unfinished—later completed by Chapman.