Christopher Marlowe: A Life Of Controversy

Christopher Marlowe: A Life of Controversy Plays and writings arguably the most characteristic piece of of Elizabethan life, but there was also a lot of mystery and controversy. There were many conflicting beliefs and secretive organizations in Elizabethan England. These included the Elizabethan Secret Service and many religious groups that did not believe in the national religion of Protestantism. In both of these groups, there was a poet named Christopher Marlowe. There are many controversies and suspicious accusations surrounding Marlowe. Some of theses topics include: his education, works, and his controversial and mysterious death. Christopher Marlowe’s education is arguably the most influential part of his writing. Marlowe studied for a Master of Arts degree at the University of Cambridge. His scholarship allowed him to get a three year degree, and an additional three years should he want to attain holy orders. Marlowe did finish all six years but never achieved his Masters degree. He received
“...the Shakespeare name only came to prominence after Marlowe’s apparent demise, and he writes like a continuation of Marlowe, the two bodies of work blending so seamlessly at their join that some people wonder whether Marlowe wrote Shakespeare’s too” (Barber). Marlowe was known for having a very disruptive and rude personality and often was arrested. He was set free soon after, but it was a mark on his reputation. Marlowe was actually accused of being an atheist, and to be put to death. The official story is that Marlowe was killed by Ingram Frizer in a tavern in London. Should anyone look at Shakespeare’s and Marlowe’s portraits side by side, they will instantly notice that the two writers look very similar. Shakespeare only came to prominence after Marlowe’s apparent demise. There is very compelling evidence that Shakespeare may have actually been Marlowe’s second