This study provides an authoritative overview of all Marlowe's work. It includes thorough investigations of his major plays, Tamburlaine, Edward II, The Jew of Malta and Doctor Faustus as well as a full discussion of The Massacre at Paris, Dido Queen of Carthage and all his extant poetry. Analysis of Faustus takes full account of both A and B text versions. Thoroughly researched and yet presented in an accessible, engaging style, A Preface to Marlowe reads Marlowe's life and times, as well as his work, in the light of current critical theory. Consequently, it is a vital guide for all students of early modern drama. As well as providing sharp analysis of stage history, Dr Simkin reflects on the wider significance of a stage-oriented approach. The result is a reading of Marlowe that re-opens debates about his status as a radical figure and as a subversive playwright and invites the reader to experience the plays as immediate, exciting, 'live' documents.
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Editorial Reviews
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"a highly readable account.... a vivid and richly detailed survey of the social and theatrical scene within which Marlowe briefly worked."Speech and Drama "The overall theoretical focus is meaningfully explored in the impact that Marlowe's work has in the modern theatre and in this respect the book must be entirely groundbreaking."Literature and History "Stevie Simkin, in this 'Preface' to Marlowe, does an admirable job of processing a variety of sources and coming up with a clear and highly readable introduction."Studies in Theatre and Performance
"a seamless, objective, knowledgeable, and comprehensive treatment of its subject"
"an uncanny knack of getting to the heart of the matter and suggesting its complexity without belaboring the point"
"I would recommend it as a lucid and expert assessment of the various meanings of Marlowe's works then and now"
Sixteenth Century Journal
'..the book has many strenghts as a literary textbook for first-year undergraduates. It is fluent and confident and synthesizes its material well.'
Simon Shepherd, Central School of Speech and Drama, London, Theatre Research International, Vol 26/3, 2001.
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A Preface to Marlowe
Stevie Simkin
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A Preface to Marlowe
Stevie Simkin
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'A description of what the Preface Books were intended to be was included in the first volume and has appeared unchanged at the front of every succeeding title: "A series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance through the characteristic difficulties of their work to reach an intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it." This may seem modest enough but a moment's reflection will reveal what a considerable claim it actually is. It is much to the credit of Longman and to their [founding] editor Maurice Hussey and his authors that these words have come to seem no more than a plain statement of fact.'
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A Preface to Marlowe
Stevie Simkin
This study provides an authoritative overview of all Marlowe's work. It includes thorough investigations of his major plays, Tamburlaine, Edward II, The Jew of Malta and Doctor Faustus as well as a full discussion of The Massacre at Paris, Dido Queen of Carthage and all his extant poetry.
Analysis of Faustus takes full account of both A and B text versions. Thoroughly researched and yet presented in an accessible, engaging style, A Preface to Marlowe reads Marlowe's life and times, as well as his work, in the light of current critical theory. Consequently, it is a vital guide for all students of early modern drama. Dr Simkin's approach acknowledges that an understanding of the Elizabethan context is crucial to a full appreciation of the plays and poetry. However, he also insists on the significance of the present, and asks us to consider what those same texts may signify in contemporary society.
With this in mind, much of the discussion focuses on the play as performance texts. As well as providing sharp analysis of stage history, Dr Simkin reflects on the wider significance of a stage-oriented approach. The result is a reading of Marlowe that re-opens debates about his status as a radical figure and as a subversive playwright and invites the reader to experience the plays as immediate, exciting, 'live' documents.
Dr Stevie Simkin is Senior Lecturer in Drama at King Alfred's College of Higher Education, Winchester, where he heads the Research Centre for Community and Performing Arts.
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