[ePub] The Massacre at Paris by Christopher Marlowe in Arts-Photography

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Very Underrated!By King DimholtSome of you probably remember this as the play Marlowe managed to complete before he was killed in "Shakespeare In Love." It is interesting that even though many critics do not see this as one of Marlowes better plays. Marlowe (in the movie) said that this was even better than his "Dr. Faustus." The play begins with the Protestant Prince Navarre marrying a Catholic Princess. While some are hoping this will make peace between the Catholics and Protestants in France. many see the approaching war as inevitable. Anjou (the eventual King Henry III) teams up with the overly ambitious Guise and they decide to eliminate the Protestants. Most of the scenes that follow are short murder scenes. but Marlowe knew what he was doing. By keeping the scenes short. he emphasizes that murder is a vile act. (Hollywood has always looked for ways to justify and even glorify killing.) Well. action movies are here today and gone tomrrow. while the classics from Marlowe. Shakespeare. and Dickens will survive time. Quoting a bit of Shakespeare: the truth should live from age to age. Moving on. King Charles IX is understandably sad at the bloodshed. Upon his death. Anjou is crowned King Henry III. Marlowe keeps the tension as the Protestants (under Navarre) start to strike back. Then. there comes a rift between Henry III and Guise. And should we be surprised about this? Ambition seldom knows loyalty. Henry III realizes that Guise is popular. so a secret murder is his best bet. And Navarre is sharp enough to realize that if he helps bring down Guise. he may win Henry IIIs gratitude. It is interesting that someone even tries to warn the ego maniac Guise of the danger he is in. but Guise compares himself to Caesar and foolishly walks into the death trap. (Undoubtedly Shakespeare had this in mind when he wrote his "Julius Caesar.") Moving on. Henry III plots the murder of a cardinal who he sees as dangerous. (But as in Shakespeares "Julius Caesar." some enemies are more powerful after their death.) The death of this cardinal brings about a successful attempt on Henry IIIs life. And we can see that Henry IIIs death was revolving in Shakespeares mind as he wrote his "Hamlet." If we accept Marlowes words (in "Shakespeare In Love") that this is even better than "Dr. Faustus." well have to fight many critics. But the argument is that this play is historical and completely plausible. And the more believable something is. the more scarey it is likely to be. In the movie. Shakespeare choked a bit when Marlowe just said the title. Its sad that this play will probably never get the attention it deserves.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. VERY UNDERRATED!By Sean Ares HirschI CAN NOT understand why this play of Marlowes was never popular. In this chilling masterpiece. not a single page is wasted. This play offers several dramatic passages. Guises soliloquy in scene 2 is especially powerful. Another aspect of this play that Marlowe handles with the utmost of genius is Anjous rise to King Henry III. and later his fall. Throughout the play. Guise presents us with chilling moments and his death is handled with dramatically appropriate lines. The reconciliation between King Henry III and Navarre also demonstrates Marlowes mastery of literature. Finally. King Henry IIIs death really helps us to see that Marlowe paved the way for Shakespeare in every sense of the word. If you liked Marlowes "Faustus" and "Edward II." you WILL NOT want to miss this one!