# Christopher Marlowe

> English dramatist, poet and translator (1564–1593)

**Wikidata**: [Q28975](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28975)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Marlowe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/christopher-marlowe

## Summary
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet, and translator who lived from 1564 to 1593. He is best known for writing influential plays such as *Edward II*, *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*, and *The Jew of Malta*. As a contemporary of William Shakespeare, Marlowe was a pivotal figure in the development of English Renaissance drama.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 6, 1564 (baptized February 26, 1564)
- **Nationality**: English (Citizenship: Kingdom of England)
- **Education**: The King's School Canterbury; Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge
- **Known for**: Writing *Edward II*, *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*, and *The Jew of Malta*; pioneering English blank verse drama
- **Employer(s)**: Affiliated with the University of Cambridge and Corpus Christi College; active in the literary scene of the Kingdom of England
- **Field(s)**: Playwriting, Poetry, Translation, Literature

## Contributions
Christopher Marlowe produced several landmark works that defined the Elizabethan era of theatre and literature:
- **The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus**: A play exploring themes of ambition and damnation, widely considered one of his masterpieces.
- **Edward II**: A historical play focusing on the life and deposition of King Edward II of England, noted for its psychological depth.
- **The Jew of Malta**: A tragic play featuring the character Barabas, known for its exploration of greed and religious conflict.
- **Translation and Poetry**: Beyond his plays, Marlowe worked as a translator and poet, contributing to the literary landscape of the Kingdom of England.
- **Work Period**: His active career spanned from approximately 1580 until his death in 1593.

## FAQs
**What are Christopher Marlowe's most famous works?**
Marlowe is most famous for writing the plays *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*, *Edward II*, and *The Jew of Malta*. These works are celebrated for their dramatic intensity and use of blank verse.

**When and where was Christopher Marlowe born?**
He was born in early 1564 in the Kingdom of England, with his baptism recorded on February 26, 1564. His life and career were centered in England during the late 16th century.

**Where did Christopher Marlowe receive his education?**
Marlowe attended The King's School Canterbury before matriculating at Corpus Christi College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.

**How long was Christopher Marlowe's career?**
His professional work period began around 1580 and ended abruptly in 1593 upon his death at the age of 29.

**What was Christopher Marlowe's nationality and citizenship?**
He was a citizen of the Kingdom of England, a historic kingdom on the British Isles that existed from 927 to 1649 and again from 1660 to 1707.

## Why They Matter
Christopher Marlowe's impact on English literature is profound, as he helped establish the conventions of Elizabethan tragedy and popularized the use of blank verse in drama. His works, particularly *Doctor Faustus* and *Edward II*, pushed the boundaries of theatrical storytelling by exploring complex psychological states and controversial themes. Without his innovations, the trajectory of English drama might have developed differently, potentially altering the context in which contemporaries like William Shakespeare wrote. His legacy endures through the continued study and performance of his plays, which remain foundational texts in the Western literary canon.

## Notable For
- Being an English dramatist, poet, and translator active between 1564 and 1593.
- Writing the seminal plays *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*, *Edward II*, and *The Jew of Malta*.
- Attending Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge.
- Being a contemporary and peer of William Shakespeare, another giant of English literature.
- Holding the distinction of having over 100 sitelinks on Wikipedia, indicating extensive coverage.
- Being known by the alias "Kit Marlowe."
- Having a work period that spanned from 1580 to 1593.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Christopher Marlowe was born in 1564 in the Kingdom of England. His early education took place at The King's School Canterbury, an institution with deep historical roots in Kent, UK. Following his time at the school, he pursued higher education at Corpus Christi College, a college of the University of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, provided the academic environment where Marlowe developed his literary skills. His citizenship was tied to the Kingdom of England, a historic entity that served as a predecessor to the Kingdom of Great Britain.

### Literary Career and Major Works
Marlowe's career as a playwright, poet, and translator flourished during the late 16th century. His most significant contributions include three major plays:
- **The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus**: This play tells the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil, a narrative that has become a cornerstone of English drama.
- **Edward II**: A historical drama that examines the reign and downfall of King Edward II, showcasing Marlowe's ability to handle political and personal tragedy.
- **The Jew of Malta**: A play featuring the character Barabas, which explores themes of religion, money, and revenge.

These works were produced during his active work period, which started around 1580 and concluded in 1593. Marlowe's output was characterized by a mastery of language and a willingness to tackle controversial subjects, distinguishing him as a leading figure of his time.

### Affiliations and Context
Marlowe was closely associated with the academic and cultural institutions of his day. His education at Corpus Christi College and the University of Cambridge placed him within a network of scholars and writers. He was a citizen of the Kingdom of England, a realm that had its inception in 927 and was dissolved in 1707. The cultural landscape of the Kingdom of England, with London as its capital and English as its official language, provided the backdrop for his literary achievements.

### Legacy and Related Entities
The legacy of Christopher Marlowe is preserved through his enduring works and his influence on subsequent generations of writers. He is often mentioned in the same breath as William Shakespeare, who was also an English playwright and poet born in 1564. While Shakespeare is known for works like *Hamlet* and *Macbeth*, Marlowe's *Doctor Faustus* and *Edward II* stand as unique contributions to the canon.

Other entities related to Marlowe include:
- **Kit Harington**: A British actor who has portrayed characters in historical dramas, though distinct from Marlowe himself.
- **Philip Marlowe**: A fictional detective created by Raymond Chandler, sharing the surname but unrelated to the historical figure.
- **William Shakespeare**: A contemporary whose works and life parallel Marlowe's in terms of era and impact.

Marlowe's digital presence is significant, with a Wikipedia title of "Christopher Marlowe" and a Wikidata description identifying him as an English dramatist, poet, and translator. His entry includes numerous identifiers and links to academic and cultural databases, reflecting the extensive scholarly interest in his life and work. The Kingdom of England, the historic kingdom where he lived and worked, continues to be a subject of historical study, with Marlowe serving as a key cultural figure from that period.

## References

1. Concise Literary Encyclopedia
2. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
3. BnF authorities
4. Integrated Authority File
5. poets.org
6. Library of the World's Best Literature
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. MusicBrainz
11. IMDb
12. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
13. NooSFere
14. SNAC
15. Internet Broadway Database
16. Enciclopédia Itaú Cultural
17. Find a Grave
18. International Music Score Library Project
19. filmportal.de
20. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Marlowe%20Christopher)
23. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index11.html)
24. CONOR.SI
25. Autoritats UB
26. BBC Things
27. Shakeosphere
28. LIBRIS. 2012
29. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
30. performing-arts.ch
31. Catalogo of the National Library of India