Making Fools Laugh at Sin and Wickedness The Medieval Morality Tradition in the Works of Christopher Marlowe
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Myhill, Nova
Keywords
Marlowe, Christopher, Morality Plays, Theatrical Convention
Area of Concentration
British and American Literature
Abstract
In this thesis, I examine the way the morality tradition influenced the works of Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe used conventions of the morality traditon, and in doing so, examined the power and the limits of theatre. In chapter one, I look at The Jew of Malta. I examine claims by past critics that Barabas is a Vice figure and instead argue that the play contains a struggle between an old type of Vice personified in Barabas and a new Vice seen in Femeze. In chapter two, I look at the possibility for Faustus's salvation. I show the ways that Marlowe uses morality play conventions to undermine salvation. In my final chapter, I look at Tamburlaine. In Tamburlaine, Marlowe shows the limits of theatrical power. In the end, all three of these plays are concerned with what the theatre can and cannot perform.
Recommended Citation
Abate, Antonia, "Making Fools Laugh at Sin and Wickedness The Medieval Morality Tradition in the Works of Christopher Marlowe" (2004). Theses & ETDs. 3339.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3339
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.