During His Lifetime Christopher Marlowe Was Rumored

Christopher Marlowe was a prominent English playwright, poet, and translator who lived during the late 16th century. Despite his short life, Marlowe is considered one of the most influential playwrights of his time and is known for his innovative and controversial works. During his lifetime, Marlowe was rumored to be many things, and these rumors have persisted to this day. In this essay, we will explore some of the most common rumors about Christopher Marlowe and discuss the evidence for and against them.

 

 

One of the most persistent rumors about Christopher Marlowe is that he worked as a spy for the English government. There is some evidence to support this theory, as Marlowe was known to have traveled extensively throughout Europe and had connections to various prominent figures in England, including Sir Walter Raleigh. Additionally, there are several references to Marlowe's involvement in espionage in contemporary documents, including a letter written by Thomas Kyd, a fellow playwright and friend of Marlowe's, in which he claims that Marlowe was arrested for counterfeiting coins and for being involved in "the dangerous trade of espionage."

 

 

However, there is also evidence to suggest that Marlowe was not actually a spy. For one thing, the charges against him were ultimately dropped, and there is no concrete proof that he ever worked as a spy. Additionally, some scholars argue that the rumors about Marlowe's involvement in espionage were simply a way for the authorities to discredit him and his work.

 

 

Another persistent rumor about Christopher Marlowe is that he was an atheist. This rumor is based largely on Marlowe's work, which often dealt with controversial and taboo subjects such as sexuality, religion, and politics. Additionally, Marlowe was known to have associated with other writers and intellectuals who were critical of organized religion, including the poet Sir Philip Sidney and the philosopher Thomas Harriot.

 

 

However, there is no concrete evidence to support the theory that Marlowe was an atheist. While his work may have been critical of organized religion, it is possible that he was simply exploring these themes in order to provoke thought and discussion. Additionally, Marlowe's family was known to have had strong ties to the Church of England, and there is no record of Marlowe ever renouncing his faith.

 

 

One of the more controversial rumors about Christopher Marlowe is that he faked his own death in order to escape prosecution. According to this theory, Marlowe was killed in a bar fight in 1593, but some believe that this was actually a staged event designed to allow him to disappear and start a new life under a different identity.

 

 

There is little concrete evidence to support this theory, and most scholars believe that Marlowe's death was genuine. However, there are some inconsistencies in the official account of his death that have led some to speculate about the possibility of foul play. For example, the coroner's report lists the cause of death as a stab wound to the eye, but it is unclear who actually delivered the fatal blow.

 

 

In conclusion, Christopher Marlowe was a fascinating and controversial figure whose life and work continue to intrigue scholars and readers to this day. While many rumors have persisted about Marlowe's life and career, there is often little concrete evidence to support them. It is likely that we will never know the full truth about Marlowe's life and the many rumors that surround it, but his work remains an important and enduring part of English literature.