Christopher Marlowe 15641593 The Tragical History of Doctor

Christopher Marlowe (15641593) & The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

The Development of Drama l Early mystery or miracle plays l From pageant to theatre l University Wits l Seneca’s Influence l Marlowe’s Works

Literary Terms Mystery or miracle plays the early form of English plays in the 14 th century. The former are chiefly based on stories from the Bible, while the latter based on the lives of Christian saints. The vernacular became the language of the plays. Laymen are also allowed to take part in the performance. l Drama A prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation by actors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action. l

The Globe Theatre The most famous Renaissance theater The Globe Theatre, where dramatist William Shakespeare saw his plays performed 400 years ago, has been rebuilt near its original location on the south bank of the Thames River in London, England. The rebuilt theater opened in 1997 and offers performances of Shakespeare’s plays during the summer. Like the original, which opened in 1599, the rebuilt theater encloses a roofless inner pit, into which the roofed stage projects. Traditional materials were used in the rebuilding. A thatched roof covers the galleries where the audience sits, and the outer walls are made of lime plaster.

Elizabethan Theatre Globe Theatre Interior

Seneca’s Influence Farewell, Love, and all thy laws forever, Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more; Senec and Plato call me from thy lore, To perfect wealth my wit for to endeavor. In blind error when I did persever, Thy sharp repulse, that prickth aye so sore, Hath taught me to set in trifles no store And ’scape forth since liberty is lever. Therefore farewell, go trouble younger hearts, And in me claim no more authority; With idle youth go use thy property, And therein spend thy many brittle darts. For hitherto though I have lost all my time, Me lusteth no longer rotten boughs to climb. --Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503 -1542) Seneca, marble bust, 3 rd century, after an original bust of the 1 st century; in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany Sir Thomas Wyatt (15031542)

Marlowe’s Works l Tamburlaine the Great (1587) —desire for infinite power l The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus (1592) —desire for infinite knowledge

The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus (1592) l Plot—Faustus’ adventure l Imagination and passion l Marlowe’s magic lines

Marlowe’s Magic Lines l The blank verse, i. e. , unrhymed iambic pentameter, e. g. , l O, Faustus, lay thy damned book aside, × / |? / |× /| And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul, × / | ××|× / | And heap God’s heavy wrath upon thy head! × / | / / |× /| × / | Read, read the Scriptures: —that is blasphemy. / / |× / | × × | × / |× × |

Discussion l What do you think of Dr. Faustus’ contract with Devil? Will you sale your soul to Devil for something else if there is a chance?

Assignments Read next section, William Shakespeare. l Find some time to watch one of the following movies, or any one else adapted from Shakespeare’s plays. l The Merchant of Venice, l Henry V l Hamlet l Romeo and Juliet l King Lear l Macbeth l Shakespeare in Love l