Time for a topic that gets you thinking--
Christopher Marlowe-- the 16th-century English playwright, poet, and spy.
Was he, in fact, the true author of Shakespeare's works? Was he the nom de plume of Shakespeare?
Did he really die in a tavern brawl? Or did he fake his own death and flee to Italy to escape the Star Chamber investigating his atheistic beliefs?
Very interesting article--
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muchado/fine/
On the issue of Marlowe and Shakespeare's writing, I confess that I do not believe there is enough evidence either way. James Joyce was known to be, how shall we say, self-absorbed enough that his words bring to mind a quote attributed to Caesar's Anticato. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticato)
"Most men cannot believe that another man can be more capable than they. Therefore if something is accomplished, either it is no better than what they are capable of, or else it is a lie."
Is that the debate involved in the new movie "Anonymous?"
I posted about the movie in the movie section, as I had not heard about it previously whatsoever.
I think so....I haven't seen anything about the movie. There is also a small group who think Edward De Vere wrote Shapespeare's plays.
Is there soemthing that gives a synopsis for the movie?
Here is the official site, but my browser is on strike against Flash today for some reason.
http://www.anonymous-movie.com/site/ (http://www.anonymous-movie.com/site/)
And from imdb, I believe their version claims it was Edward De Vere, not Marlowe.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1521197/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1521197/)
More about Shakepeare and collaboration. (http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xCardenio.html)
This play, presumed lost and never produced was written in 1612. The handwriting on the folio strongly suggests that it is the same handwriting on the Bard's earlier original folios. Christopher Marlowe died in 1593, murdered, and Williams Shakespeare died in 1616.
Ingram Frizer was a confidence trickster under investigation. A letter written by the Privy Council on Marlowe's behalf to the Cambridge authorities has provoked much speculation, notably the theory that Marlowe was operating as a secret agent working for Sir Francis Walsingham's intelligence service.
So either
A) He was killed by Frizer to keep him from reporting some bit of evidence.
B) He blackmailed Frizer into helping him fake his death.
Scenario B is not very likely because the English Courts of Inquest were very strict about having a body before they declared someone dead and released the will to be executed.
Also, John Fletcher, who collaborated with the Bard in his final years was far too young to be Christopher Marlowe returned in disguise.
Great subject! I confess I don't know enough to add on my own but am enjoying reading what everyone else knows and speculates on...
This was the theme to our (KCRF) faire in 2009!
I didn't know there was a movie coming out about it.
I just wanted a topic that was historical and got people thinking.
I just saw the trailer for the film last night on TV...Looks like a great way to spend a couple of hours!