Product Description

Blasphemy, perversion, defiance and transgression...in a series of compelling tragedies, Marlowe challenged every authority of heaven and earth. From the proud wrath of Tamburlaine, the tyrant of Asia, to the racked anguish of Edward II, himself in thrall to unspeakable desires; from God's own Machiavel, the Duke of Guise, to Barabas, the Jew of Malta, curse of Christianity: all are taboo-breakers, to be broken in their turn. And in the tragedy of Doctor Faustus we perhaps read Marlowe's own: a tale of brilliance and audacity - and of terrible, inexorable punishment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #765225 in Books
• Published on: 1983-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Customer Reviews

Not a very academic edition
I bought this edition of Marlowe's plays for a Renaissance Literature course at uni, expecting a wealth of notes and annotations to explain social and historic contexts. I was quite disappointed to discover that the notes were very meagre and the only aspect of the plays that is covered in the notes is the mythological references. I think Marlowe is a brilliant playwright, but without a good edition you miss so much of the Renaissance thinking that went into his works.

The Penguin edition is not all negative, however; the editor explains the existence of the two versions, basing his edition on the 1616 B text, providing an Additional Notes section in which uses of the A text are given. Both versions of Act v scene i (the Old Man's Speech) are presented, though sadly not adequately discussed.

I'd recommend this only to people who don't like to be distracted by looking at the Notes at back of the book. If you're interested in the thought and influences on Marlowe and his work, you'll need a more academic edition.

Very useful for A-level
This is a useful edition for those teaching or studying the plays of Marlowe. It includes the 1616 edition of Faustus, as used for the A-level, and a brief comparison to the 1604 version. The scripts are well laid out and edited, though the notes are a little sparse. Marlowe is a brilliant playwright and well worth reading, and this is a comprehensive introduction to his work.

Great Dramatist, fine addition
Christopher Marlowe is the first great dramatist in the english language and this is a fine addition of all his plays. It is well laid out with suitably adequate notes for classical and historical alusions. In short it is a good edition of some great plays. Dr Faustus, Tamburlaine & Edward II are classics.