Portrait of Christopher Marlowe

Author profile

Christopher Marlowe

An English playwright and poet whose ambitious protagonists gave early modern tragedy a new rhetorical power and scale.

Life and context

A short timeline

  1. 1564

    Born in England.

  2. 1604

    The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus published.

  3. 1587

    Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1 published.

  4. Unknown year

    Edward the Second published.

  5. 1593

    End of the author’s recorded life.

Recurring concerns

Themes and style

  • ambition
  • knowledge
  • power
  • damnation

Forceful blank verse, formal speeches and rapid movement between grandeur and comic interruption.

Available here

Works by Christopher Marlowe

3 works in the Linden collection.

Author FAQ

Where should I start?

Which Christopher Marlowe book should I read first?

Explore The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, then compare the lengths and subjects of the available works.

Is the author portrait historical?

This is a Linden original, historically informed editorial portrait—not an archival photograph. It is based on commonly documented appearance and period clothing; reuse status: Linden original artwork.

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