Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Marlowe" by Robert Lowell is a poem that explores the enigmatic and turbulent life of the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe. The poem delves into Marlowe's literary accomplishments, his controversial and rebellious nature, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, Lowell reflects on the legacy and the brief yet intense life of Marlowe.

The poem opens with the line "Vain surety of man's mind so near to death," suggesting the futility of human intellect and ambition in the face of mortality. Marlowe, who died at the young age of twenty-nine, had "hopes to total fifty," indicating that he had aspirations and plans that were cut short. The phrase "one blurred, hurried, still undecoded month" refers to the final, ambiguous period of Marlowe's life, which ended suddenly and violently. This period is marked by uncertainty and speculation, as Marlowe was "hurled from England to his companion shades," indicating his transition from life to death and into the realm of the unknown.

Lowell acknowledges Marlowe's enduring literary legacy with the phrase "His mighty line denies his shady murder." Despite the controversial nature of his death, Marlowe's powerful and influential verse, often referred to as "mighty lines," overshadows the scandal and mystery of his demise. The poem continues with Marlowe's own voice, reflecting on the vibrant and dangerous life he led: "How uncontrollably sweet and swift my life / with two London hits and riding my high tide." This line alludes to Marlowe's successful plays and his life lived at a rapid, intense pace, filled with excitement and danger.

The reference to "drinking out May in Deptford with three friends" alludes to the circumstances of Marlowe's death. He was killed in a tavern brawl in Deptford, an event that has been the subject of much historical speculation. The mention of "Secret Service" hints at Marlowe's rumored involvement in espionage, a detail that adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding his life and death.

Marlowe's irreverence and controversial beliefs are captured in the lines, "Christ was a bastard, His Testament's filthily Greeked." These statements reflect Marlowe's known atheism and radical ideas, which were considered heretical and dangerous at the time. His provocative views and writings made him a target for suspicion and persecution.

The poem poignantly captures the moment of Marlowe's death: "I died sweating, stabbed with friends who knew me—was it the bar-check?" This line evokes the chaotic and violent nature of his demise, while also questioning the motive behind the stabbing. The ambiguity surrounding the cause of the altercation, whether over a mundane bar tab or something more sinister, underscores the unresolved mysteries of Marlowe's life.

In the concluding lines, Lowell reflects on the nature of tragedy and legacy: "Tragedy is to die ... for that vacant parsonage, Posterity; / my plays are stamped in bronze, my life in tabloid." The "vacant parsonage" symbolizes the emptiness left behind by Marlowe's untimely death and the missed potential of his future works. "Posterity" refers to the lasting impact of Marlowe's plays, which have been immortalized ("stamped in bronze"), in contrast to the sensationalized and scandalous accounts of his life, which are relegated to "tabloid" status.

"Marlowe" by Robert Lowell is a reflection on the complex and multifaceted nature of Christopher Marlowe's life and legacy. Through a blend of historical allusion, introspection, and poetic imagery, the poem captures the brilliance, controversy, and tragedy of a playwright whose life was as dramatic as his works. Lowell's portrayal of Marlowe emphasizes the tension between the enduring power of art and the fleeting, often misunderstood nature of human existence.

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