Tamburlaine Must Die
Encyclopedia
Tamburlaine Must Die is a novella written by Louise Welsh
, which imagines the last days of Christopher Marlowe
's life in 1593. The novella was published in 2004 by Canongate Books
. The novella has received both praise and criticism, called a "gothic thriller" and "existential puzzle piece" yet some felt the "narrative fails to convey adequately the sense of trepidation and urgency that one would expect from such a desperate man."
-ridden London
in 1593. Tamburlaine, a hero in one of Marlowe's most famous plays, has written a libelous and heretical
pamphlet
in a style of writing similar to Marlowe's. Marlow is called before the Privy Council
to claim the pamphlet; however, he protests his innocence. Marlowe is sentenced to death for this blasphemous writing and only has three days to figure out who really wrote the pamphlets and track that individual down. Marlowe becomes entangled in a web of intrigue, plots and counterplots before his eventual murder.
The title of the novella was taken from a long journal entry written by the real Christopher Marlowe shortly before his death.
in 2007. Miller also transformed and directed Welsh's first novel, The Cutting Room
, into a stage production. The play was produced by Glasgay! and Tron Theatre
in Glasgow
.
Louise Welsh
Louise Welsh is an author of short stories and novels, based in Glasgow, Scotland.Welsh studied History at Glasgow University and traded in second-hand books for several years before publishing her first novel....
, which imagines the last days of Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
's life in 1593. The novella was published in 2004 by Canongate Books
Canongate Books
Canongate Books is a Scottish independent publishing firm based in Edinburgh; it is named for The Canongate, an area of the city. It is most recognised for publishing the Booker Prizewinner Life of Pi...
. The novella has received both praise and criticism, called a "gothic thriller" and "existential puzzle piece" yet some felt the "narrative fails to convey adequately the sense of trepidation and urgency that one would expect from such a desperate man."
Plot
This novella is set in a plagueBubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
-ridden London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1593. Tamburlaine, a hero in one of Marlowe's most famous plays, has written a libelous and heretical
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
pamphlet
Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound booklet . It may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths , or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book...
in a style of writing similar to Marlowe's. Marlow is called before the Privy Council
Privy Council of England
The Privy Council of England, also known as His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, was a body of advisers to the sovereign of the Kingdom of England...
to claim the pamphlet; however, he protests his innocence. Marlowe is sentenced to death for this blasphemous writing and only has three days to figure out who really wrote the pamphlets and track that individual down. Marlowe becomes entangled in a web of intrigue, plots and counterplots before his eventual murder.
Factual basis
The novella is based on the last days of Marlowe's life. An individual writing under the name Tamburlaine published a bill about London threatening Protestant refugees who had settled in the city. The author wrote in the same style and alluded to Marlowe several times. A few short days later, Marlowe was murdered by an acquaintance after arguing over a bill. To this day, there is still controversy regarding the reasons for and circumstances of Marlowe's death.The title of the novella was taken from a long journal entry written by the real Christopher Marlowe shortly before his death.
Play adaptation
Fittingly for a novella based on a famous playwright, the book was adapted for the stage by Kenny MillerKenny Miller
Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
in 2007. Miller also transformed and directed Welsh's first novel, The Cutting Room
The Cutting Room (book)
The Cutting Room is the debut novel of Scottish author Louise Welsh. The book was first published in 2002 by Edinburgh-based publisher Canongate...
, into a stage production. The play was produced by Glasgay! and Tron Theatre
Tron Theatre
The Tron Theatre is located at the corner of Trongate and Chisholm Street, in the Merchant City area of Glasgow, Scotland.From its early years as a theatre club, the Tron has grown into a thriving multi-faceted venue...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
See also
- Louise WelshLouise WelshLouise Welsh is an author of short stories and novels, based in Glasgow, Scotland.Welsh studied History at Glasgow University and traded in second-hand books for several years before publishing her first novel....
- Christopher MarloweChristopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
- Kenny MillerKenny MillerKenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
- Tamburlaine (play)Tamburlaine (play)Tamburlaine the Great is the name of a play in two parts by Christopher Marlowe. It is loosely based on the life of the Central Asian emperor, Timur 'the lame'...