Hero and Leander and Other Poems

Name: Hero and Leander and Other Poems
Author: Christopher Marlowe

By Christopher Marlowe

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British Literature Poetry

About This Book

A sequence opens with an unfinished narrative poem that follows two mythic lovers who risk a nightly crossing to be together, rendered in richly sensual Elizabethan verse and concluding with another poet's continuation; the rest of the volume compiles short pastoral and elegiac lyrics, a famous shepherd's pastoral, a Latin funeral piece, and a verse dialogue. Recurring concerns include erotic longing, the tension between desire and destiny, and the musical, rhetorical qualities of early modern poetry.

About the Author

Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe was an influential English playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era, known for his innovative use of blank verse and his exploration of complex themes such as ambition, power, and the human condition. His notable works include the tragic play "Doctor Faustus," which delves into the consequences of seeking knowledge and power beyond human limits. Marlowe's other significant contributions to literature include "Tamburlaine," "The Jew of Malta," and "Edward the Second." His bold and dramatic style paved the way for later playwrights, including William Shakespeare, and he remains a key figure in the development of English drama.