Christopher Marlowe: Poet & Spy goes beyond a simple exploration of the life and controversies of that enigmatic English writer; in this biography, Park Honan re-evaluates everything that has been said about Christopher Marlowe in an effort to draw aside the curtain that has for so long obscured our vision of the poet and the man. Now, we begin to see the man behind the legend. And, we may just find more fascination in the "real" Christopher Marlowe than in any myth...
To begin, Park Honan explains that the life of Christopher Marlowe is the "most spectacular of any English dramatist" for so many reasons. Beyond the "murder mystery," we have a man who had a "reputation as a spy, an unceasing blasphemer, a tough street-fighter and a courageous homosexual." In addition to his colorful history, there's the fact that he was familar with Thomas Kyd, William Shakespeare, and other famous writers of the time. Take all these elements together and you have the material for an unforgettable life (let alone a biography).
It's in drawing all the pieces of Marlowe's life into one grand-scheme picture that Honan offers this important contribution to Marlowe scholarship. If one didn't know better, the reader would be forced to imagine that the book was a fantastical creation of the author's mind--filled as it is with espionage, intrigue, and political dealings. Honan just goes to prove that reality can be much stranger than fiction, as he carefully details the latest evidence and credible speculation that leads him toward his inevitable conclusions about Christopher Marlowe and his cohorts.
It's in drawing all the pieces of Marlowe's life into one grand-scheme picture that Honan offers this important contribution to Marlowe scholarship. If one didn't know better, the reader would be forced to imagine that the book was a fantastical creation of the author's mind--filled as it is with espionage, intrigue, and political dealings. Honan just goes to prove that reality can be much stranger than fiction, as he carefully details the latest evidence and credible speculation that leads him toward his inevitable conclusions about Christopher Marlowe and his cohorts.
Christopher Marlowe - To Die Young
It is a wonder that his artistic talent flowered so quickly and so completely. Given the short span of his life, though, his artistic maturity in Tamburlaine and later plays is fortunate. As Honan explains, "He offers a comprehensive view of life," and "he appears to come to terms with aspects of his experience." In life and in his works, he seemed to live life to the fullest--drawing out every drop that he could out of existence--even though his years would end at 29.
Marlowe appears fearless and unconcerned with how controversy and his views might put his own life in danger. And, in his daring, he revolutionized English drama. In turn, the stage allowed him to explore controversial themes, which would have been even more scandalized if he'd broached them in a more direct manner. He was able to explore his truths--slant.
It is a wonder that his artistic talent flowered so quickly and so completely. Given the short span of his life, though, his artistic maturity in Tamburlaine and later plays is fortunate. As Honan explains, "He offers a comprehensive view of life," and "he appears to come to terms with aspects of his experience." In life and in his works, he seemed to live life to the fullest--drawing out every drop that he could out of existence--even though his years would end at 29.
Marlowe appears fearless and unconcerned with how controversy and his views might put his own life in danger. And, in his daring, he revolutionized English drama. In turn, the stage allowed him to explore controversial themes, which would have been even more scandalized if he'd broached them in a more direct manner. He was able to explore his truths--slant.
Time has played a part in reshaping the Christopher Marlowe's myth and legend. His works have--from time to time--fallen out of fashion. But, as Honan says, "even when Marlowe's reputation was at its lowest, the beauty of his verse drew attention--a sign that he would keep his power." In the end, he "belongs to us." He dramatized human existence--with all the frailties and foibles--and he "affirmed human strengths."
