Tamburlaine facts for kids

Tamburlaine is a famous play written by Christopher Marlowe. It is a type of play called a tragedy, which means it tells a serious story with a sad ending. The play is made up of two parts. The first part was first shown in 1587. Both parts were printed and shared in 1590.

The story of Tamburlaine is about a real historical figure. He was an emperor from Asia named Timur (also known as Timur the Lame). The play shows his very strong desire for power. It explores how he rises from a simple shepherd to a mighty ruler.

Who Was Tamburlaine?

Tamburlaine is based on a real person named Timur. He was a powerful conqueror who lived in the 1300s. Timur built a huge empire across Asia. He was known for his military skills and his ambition. The play shows him as a fearless leader. He is always seeking more power and control.

From Shepherd to Emperor

In the play, Tamburlaine starts as a shepherd. He leads a group of robbers. Soon, he begins to challenge kings and emperors. He uses his clever mind and strong army to win battles. His victories help him gain more land and power. He becomes a feared and respected leader.

Tamburlaine's Ambition

The play focuses on Tamburlaine's endless ambition. He believes he is meant to rule the world. He is not happy with just one kingdom. He always wants more. This strong desire drives the entire story. It shows how far someone might go to gain power.

What is the Play About?

Tamburlaine tells the story of a man who rises from nothing. He becomes a powerful emperor. The play shows his many battles and conquests. It also explores his relationships with others. These include his love, Zenocrate, and his enemies.

Main Characters

• Tamburlaine: The main character, a shepherd who becomes a mighty conqueror.
• Zenocrate: A princess who Tamburlaine falls in love with. She becomes his empress.
• Bajazeth: The Emperor of the Turks. He becomes Tamburlaine's prisoner.

Key Themes in the Play

The play explores several important ideas.

• Power: It looks at how people gain and use power. It also shows what happens when someone has too much power.
• Ambition: The play highlights Tamburlaine's strong desire to conquer. It shows how ambition can lead to great success. It can also lead to cruelty.
• Fate: Tamburlaine believes he is destined to rule. The play makes you wonder if his success is due to his own actions or to fate.

Why is Tamburlaine Important?

Tamburlaine was a very popular play when it was first performed. It changed how plays were written in England. Christopher Marlowe used a special way of writing. It was called "blank verse." This means the lines do not rhyme. But they have a rhythm.

Impact on English Theatre

Marlowe's use of blank verse was new and exciting. It made the characters' speeches sound grand and powerful. Many other playwrights, like William Shakespeare, were inspired by Marlowe. They also started using blank verse in their plays. This made English theatre more dramatic and poetic.

A New Kind of Hero

Tamburlaine was a different kind of hero for his time. He was not a traditional noble knight. He was a ruthless conqueror. This type of character was new to the stage. It showed that plays could explore complex and challenging people.

Who Was Christopher Marlowe?

Christopher Marlowe was an important English writer. He lived from 1564 to 1593. He was a playwright and a poet. He was born in Canterbury, England. Marlowe was a very talented writer. He wrote several famous plays.

Marlowe's Other Works

Besides Tamburlaine, Marlowe wrote other well-known plays. These include:

• Doctor Faustus: A play about a scholar who sells his soul.
• The Jew of Malta: A play about a rich merchant.

Marlowe's plays were known for their strong characters and powerful language. He helped shape English drama before Shakespeare became famous.

Images for kids

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  An anonymous portrait, often believed to show Christopher Marlowe. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

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  'Sultan Bajazeth prisoned by Tamburlaine (1878) by Stanisław Chlebowski

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  Tamburlaine and Bajazeth (ca. 1700) by Andrea Celesti

See also

In Spanish: Tamburlaine para niños