Christopher Marlowe Research Paper

Many people died young in the Renaissance era, including: Sir Thomas Wyatt who died of fever at age 39, Henry Howard the Earl of Surrey who was beheaded at age 30, Sir Francis Bacon who died of bronchitis at age 65, Sir Walter Raleigh who was beheaded at age 66, Christopher Marlowe who died in a bar fight at age 29, Edmund Spenser who died at age 47, Sir Philip Sydney who died from an old battle wound at age 32, and William Shakespeare who died at age 52 (Metaphysical). With the short life span in the Renaissance era, writers such as Christopher Marlowe, Robert Herrick, and William Shakespeare began to write on the subject of carpe diem. Carpe diem translates to “Seize the Day” which demonstrates the necessity for people of this era to live life in the moment and enjoy every moment of their lives.
February 26 was the date in which Marlowe was baptized as his actual birthdate was not precisely known. Marlowe obtained his bachelor of arts degree 1584. In 1587, Corpus Christi College hesitated to give him his masters degree. Marlowe’s literary career lasted only six years and his life lasted only 29 years. Marlowe spent most of his life dealing with issues that taught him to seize the day. In the poem “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”, Marlowe speaks about taking the time to enjoy the beauty of nature in saying, “Come live with me and be my love, / And we will all the pleasures prove / That valleys, groves, hills, and fields / Woods or steepy mountain