Marlovian theory facts for kids

The Marlovian theory is an interesting idea about who really wrote the famous plays and poems usually credited to William Shakespeare. This theory suggests that another brilliant writer, Christopher Marlowe, was actually the one who wrote most of those works.

The theory also claims that Christopher Marlowe did not truly die in Deptford on May 30, 1593. Instead, it says his death was faked. Both Marlowe and Shakespeare were important poets and playwrights during the Elizabethan era, and they were both born in 1564.

The Marlovian theory first appeared in the 1800s. The main idea is that Marlowe was in trouble because of his unconventional beliefs. To help him escape punishment, Queen Elizabeth's government supposedly helped him pretend to die. This allowed him to leave England and continue writing plays, which were then presented to the public as Shakespeare's work.

Who Was Christopher Marlowe?

Christopher Marlowe was a very talented English playwright and poet. He was born in 1564, the same year as William Shakespeare. Marlowe became famous for his powerful plays, which often featured strong characters and dramatic stories. He was known for his unique writing style and his deep understanding of human nature.

Marlowe's Early Life and Works

Marlowe grew up in Canterbury, England. He studied at the University of Cambridge. After finishing his studies, he moved to London. There, he quickly became a successful playwright. Some of his most famous plays include Tamburlaine the Great and Doctor Faustus. These plays were very popular in his time.

The Mystery of Marlowe's Death

The official story is that Christopher Marlowe died in a fight in Deptford. However, the Marlovian theory suggests this was not true. It claims that the fight was staged. The theory says that Marlowe was in danger because of his beliefs, which were not accepted by the government or the Church at the time. To protect him, powerful people helped him fake his death. This allowed him to disappear and live a secret life.

Why Do People Believe This Theory?

People who support the Marlovian theory point to several reasons. They believe that Marlowe's writing style is very similar to Shakespeare's. They also note that both writers had a deep knowledge of many subjects. These include history, law, and foreign languages.

Similarities in Writing Style

Supporters of the theory often compare the language and themes in Marlowe's plays to those in Shakespeare's. They argue that certain phrases, ideas, and ways of telling stories are very much alike. They believe this suggests the same person wrote both sets of works.

Marlowe's Knowledge and Experience

The theory also highlights Marlowe's background. He was a university graduate and had traveled. He was also involved in secret government work. These experiences, supporters say, would have given him the wide knowledge seen in Shakespeare's plays. They argue that Shakespeare, whose background was less known, might not have had such experiences.

The Shakespeare Authorship Question

The Marlovian theory is part of a larger discussion called the Shakespeare authorship question. This question explores whether William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon was truly the author of all the plays and poems attributed to him. While most scholars believe Shakespeare wrote his own works, some people have suggested other candidates. These include Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, and, of course, Christopher Marlowe.

Why Question Shakespeare's Authorship?

Some people question Shakespeare's authorship because there is not much information about his life. There are few records of his education or travels. This makes some wonder how he gained the vast knowledge shown in his plays. However, many scholars argue that the available evidence strongly supports Shakespeare as the author.

Images for kids

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  Putative portrait of Christopher Marlowe (Corpus Christi College, Cambridge).

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  The body was buried in an unmarked grave in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Deptford. The plaque shown here is modern.

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  Two Latin lines (arrow) from Ovid's Amores, which Marlowe had completely translated into English years earlier, on the title page of the first printed work of Shakespeare (1593), here reprinted in 1594

See also

In Spanish: Teoría Marlowe para niños