Shakespeare paid homage to Christopher Marlowe in As You Like It when he wrote:
“Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might,
Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?”
(As You Like It, III.v) [1]
Christopher Marlowe, the famous Elizabethan playwright and poet, was fatally stabbed on 30 May 1593 in a house in Deptford, London, owned by the widow Eleanor Bull. Marlowe’s death is shrouded in mystery and controversy, with various theories about the circumstances surrounding it. He was aged 29.
The official explanation, put forth by authorities, was that Marlowe had been involved in a violent quarrel with a man named Ingram Frizer over a bill. Marlowe allegedly drew his dagger, and in the ensuing struggle, Frizer stabbed him in the eye, killing him. This version of events has raised many questions, especially considering Marlowe’s status as a well-known figure in the literary and political circles of the time.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Marlowe’s death is the suspicion that it may have been politically motivated. Marlowe was known to have connections with Sir Francis Walsingham’s spy network, and he was involved in controversial activities. Some theorize that Marlowe was murdered to silence him due to his potential knowledge of sensitive information or to prevent him from writing certain works that could have offended powerful figures. This theory, however, remains speculative.
Christopher Marlowe is buried in an unmarked grave in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Deptford, London, England. There is a memorial plaque to him on the wall of the churchyard. His death marked the end of a brilliant but brief career. Marlowe is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in English literature, particularly for his plays, such as Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine the Great, and The Jew of Malta. Despite his untimely death, Marlowe’s work paved the way for Shakespeare and later playwrights.
If you would like to know more about Marlowe, I can strongly recommend The Reckoning by Charles Nicholl.
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