Showing results by author "Christopher Marlowe" in All Categories

Christopher Marlowe was most celebrated writer of his generation, surpassing even William Shakespeare during his lifetime. A playwright, poet, hellraiser, rebel and spy, he lived fast and died young, stabbed to death in a Deptford lodging house aged only 29. This definitive collection comprises all six of his groundbreaking plays.

Richard Burton narrates this famous dramatic chronicle of the English Crown, a treasure of the BBC radio archive published on audible for the very first time. Vivat Rex is the landmark drama series first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977.

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is one of the earliest and most compelling presentations of the story of a man who sold his soul to the Devil. It is based on the popular history of Johann Georg Faust (1466–1541) a German chemist and magician, allegedly perished in an explosion during an alchemical experiment. In the theologically charged world of early reformation Germany, a report spread that his violent death was a demonstration that the devil had come to collect his soul. The legend spread quickly and has formed the basis of many later literary and dramatic works.

Christopher Marlow's play based on the Faust story of a man selling his soul to the devil, has fascinated and divided critics throughout the ages since its first performance in Elizabethan England. The central character's thirst for knowledge and power throws up essential questions of morality, life and death. Compulsive listening as this exceptionally brilliant play of verse and prose is finely executed by Frank Silvera and cast.

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's notorious portrait of a weak king in thrall to his passions, who pays the ultimate price for choosing his heart over his political responsibilities. Originally broadcast 13 September 2009 in the ‘Drama on 3’ slot. Edward...

Richard Burton narrates the second volume of this famous dramatic chronicle of the English Crown, a treasure of the BBC radio archive published in audiobook for the very first time. Vivat Rex is the landmark drama series first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977. Over the course of 26 installments, each one narrated by Richard Burton with a full cast, the fortunes of the English Crown are followed through 225 years of British history, from Edward II’s accession in 1307 to the birth of Elizabeth I.

Christopher Marlowe wrote this spectacularly subversive play in 1589/1590. The setting is the island of Malta as a bone of contention between Spain and the Ottoman Empire in their struggle for supremacy in the Mediterranean. The ghost of Machiavelli appropriately introduces this tale of murder and mayhem which unfolds in flamboyant episodes of blackmail, betrayal, revenge, scheming, theft, and poisoning on a breathtaking scale.

Christopher Marlowe's play about a man who sells his soul to the devil is not only one of the first of many works to explore this theme but also one of the most startling. Eschewing the usual division of the drama into acts, it presents the story of Faustus' fall in a series of apparently disconnected scenes. However, the integrity of the drama is maintained by the remorseless unraveling of Faustus' fortunes as he approaches his inevitable damnation.

Dive into the haunting tale of The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, a masterpiece by Christopher Marlowe that explores the dark depths of ambition and desire. In this riveting play, Faustus, a man of great intellect, makes the fateful decision to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for ultimate power and knowledge. First published posthumously in 1604, this recording brings to life the 1616 quarto, which features notable revisions and additions compared to the earlier edition. No other Elizabethan play outside of Shakespeare has sparked as much debate as Doctor ...

Christopher Kit Marlowe (baptised 26 February 1564 – 30 May 1593) was a prominent English dramatist, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. Renowned as the leading Elizabethan tragedian before William Shakespeare, Marlowe is celebrated for his stunning blank verse, complex protagonists, and his tragic, untimely demise. The Jew of Malta, written in 1589, weaves a gripping tale of religious conflict, intrigue, and vengeance, all set against the backdrop of the fierce rivalry between Spain and the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean. This play is widely regarded as a significant influence...

In the thrilling conclusion of Christopher Marlowes Tamburlaine the Great, we witness the relentless ambition of Tamburlaine, a figure inspired by the real-life conqueror Timur the Lame. Written in the late 1580s, this groundbreaking play represents a significant shift in Elizabethan drama, showcasing vibrant language, compelling action, and rich intellectual themes. As Tamburlaine grooms his sons for conquest, tensions rise when Calyphas, hesitant to embrace the warriors life, faces his fathers fury. Meanwhile, the vengeful Callapine plots against Tamburlaine, igniting a fierce battle for ...

Dive into the world of Tamburlaine the Great, a powerful play by Christopher Marlowe that captures the essence of ambition and conquest. Loosely inspired by the life of the Central Asian emperor Timur the lame, this masterpiece, penned in 1587 or 1588, represents a pivotal moment in Elizabethan drama. It showcases a departure from the awkward language and erratic plots of earlier Tudor works, ushering in an era of vibrant language, unforgettable action, and profound intellectual depth. Alongside Thomas Kyds The Spanish Tragedy, it stands as one of the first great successes of Londons public ...

Dive into the haunting world of The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, a captivating play by Christopher Marlowe that explores the timeless Faust legend. In this gripping tale, a man makes a fateful pact with the devil, trading his soul for the ultimate power and knowledge. First published in 1604, this dramatic work continues to resonate with audiences, blending themes of ambition, desire, and morality. Join us as we unravel the complexities of human ambition and the consequences that follow. (Summary by Wikipedia)

"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" is Christopher Marlowe's emotional appeal to his lady to run away with him and live a romantic rural idyll, read by Bill Wallis.

Hero and Leander is a Greek myth concerning the tragic story of two lovers. One was a priestess of Aphrodite who lived in a tower in Sestos, and the other a young man from Abydos on the opposite side of the strait. Leander fell in love with Hero and would swim every night across the Hellespont to spend time with her, with Hero's lamp at the top of her tower as his guiding light, and they shared a warm summer of love.

The English language has grown into the world’s pre-dominant spoken language, containing over one million words. Its sources are rich and diverse, having absorbed words from other cultures and times without hesitation. With such talents as Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley, Kipling, Blake, and many other classic poets using this most flexible language to render their thoughts and visions, it is no wonder that the beauty and reach of English entrances us.

Il Dottor Faust, è la drammatica vicenda di un giovane uomo con brame di onnipotenza, che desidera a tutti i costi, al punto di stipulare un patto di sangue...

In a tale that celebrates the beauty of youthful love, two star-crossed lovers, Hero and Leander, find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another at first sight. However, their passion is thwarted by the strict rules set by their guardians and the unforgiving geography of the Hellespont, which separates them. Undeterred, Leander bravely swims across the treacherous strait for a single night of romance, only to encounter Neptune, the god of the sea, who harbors a grudge against him. Ignorant of the divine wrath theyve invoked, the couple navigates the awkwardness of intimacy—especially as ...

“If music be the food of love, play on" was one of Shakespeare’s finest lines. If music is food then poetry is the wine. In this volume of classic love poetry the flavoured capture of words and rhythms makes us think more carefully of words and their value to us. They also surprise us with their structure and meaning, layering in thoughts and emotions that we might otherwise shy away from. Poems are wonderful ways to express what we feel for a very special someone.

Dive into Christopher Marlowes gripping Elizabethan tragedy, which chronicles the tumultuous reign and tragic downfall of King Edward II. His deep affection for the charming courtier, Piers Gaveston, sparks a wave of rebellion that ultimately leads to his demise. Join Elizabeth Klett and an ensemble cast as they bring this powerful tale to life.