Spencer and Marlowe

							Edmund Spenser
          1552-1599
Background information
 Born to parents of modest means and social
  station
 Outspoken protestant with puritan leanings
 Detested the Roman Catholic Church
 Played a role in the English rule of Ireland
The Writings
 Steeped in Renaissance Neoplatonism
 Earthy and practical
 Depicted physical beauty
 Analyzed good and evil
 Influenced by Puritanism and Puritanism
“The Faerie Queene”
1.   How does the poet/narrator describe himself?
2.   In lines 1-35, who/what does the poet invoke
     and why?
3.   Who is the hero of “The Faerie Queene’s” first
     book?
4.   How is the hero described?
More on “Faerie”
5.   What popular literary genres does Spenser employ?
6.   In the headnote, three Knights are the heroes of “The
     Faerie Queene’s” three books. What does each
     knight represent?
7.    What is significant about the knight’s foe in book 1?
8.   Who is the old hermit? What is his purpose?
More Questions
9.    What type of dreams does Morpheus place
      into the knight’s head? Why is this telling?
10.   What events in English society might Spenser
      be addressing? What symbols are employed?
11.   What seems to be the principle theme of “The
      Faerie Queen” Book 1, Canto 1?
Christopher Marlowe
          Man of Intrigue
           1564-1593
            (29yrs!)
The Man
 Born of modest means
 Educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
 Earned a master’s degree
 Primarily a playwright
 Imprisoned several times
 Murdered in a bar brawl
The Myth
 A secret agent?
 A spy?
 A double agent?
 An Atheist?
 A counterfeiter ?
 A Catholic?
 William Shakespeare?
The Works
 Anti-Machiavellian
 Pro self-advancement to a degree
 Deals primarily with ambition
 Heroes seek power
The Tragical History of Dr.
Faustus
1.   In lines 20-23, the Chorus alludes to Icarus.
     Why does he make this parallel?
2.   What subjects did Faustus excel in and how
     does he feel about each?
3.   After excelling in all other subjects he pursued,
     what is Faustus’ next quest/venture?
4.   What does Faustus hope to gain?
5.   Who does Faustus conjure up and why?
More questions on Faustus
6.    How is Faustus like Lucifer?
7.    How does Mephastophilis describe hell?
8.    What must Faustus do to get all the knowledge
      he desires?
9.    Why does the devil want Faustus?
10.   What powers does Faustus aquire?
More…
11.   What does Faustus initially believe is after death?
      How does that belief change?
12.   How does Faustus use his power?
13.   What is the one thing Faustus wants that he cannot
      have?
14.   In Scene 12, why doesn’t the black magic work on the
      old man?
15.   Is Faustus a character the reader can sympathize
      with?
Faustus
16.   What is the catalyst for Dr. Faustus’ fall?
17.   Why does evil prevail over good in the battle
      for Dr. Faustus’s soul?