Poor boy. Spy. Transgressor. Genius.

In this captivating audiobook, Stephen Greenblatt explores the life and impact of Christopher Marlowe, a cobbler’s son from Canterbury who rose to prominence in repressive Elizabethan England. As artists were stifled by government censorship and religious authoritarianism, Marlowe emerged with a daring desire to create, wielding an extraordinary talent for Latin poetry. Through Marlowe’s education and bold artistry, he ignited a literary explosion that would shape English culture and influence his contemporary, William Shakespeare.

Dark Renaissance delves into Marlowe’s significant works, from his erotic translations of Ovid to the ambition portrayed in Tamburlaine and the haunting themes of Doctor Faustus. This production introduces listeners to a complex figure—a homosexual atheist grappling with his identity and the world around him—who was tragically murdered just as he found love. With insightful narration, this audiobook reveals how Marlowe’s relationships and experiences helped lay the foundation for the modern world, bringing his story to life in a way that resonates with today’s listeners.