Exploring the Height of Christopher Marlowe: Examining Historical Records and Literary Sources
Christopher Marlowe is one of the most renowned playwrights and poets of the Elizabethan era. His works, such as Doctor Faustus and The Jew of Malta, have been widely studied and celebrated for centuries. But what is less known about Marlowe is his physical stature. While there are no surviving records that provide an exact measurement of his height, there are several historical documents and literary sources that can be used to explore this question.
The earliest record of Marlowe’s height comes from a 1587 document in which he was described as “of stature tall” by a justice who had arrested him for brawling in a tavern. This description suggests that he was taller than average for the time period, but it does not provide an exact measurement.
Another source of information on Marlowe’s height comes from contemporary accounts written by those who knew him personally or had seen him perform on stage. These accounts often describe him as being “taller than most men” or having “a commanding presence” due to his impressive stature.
Finally, literary sources can also be used to explore this question further. In Doctor Faustus, one character refers to another as being “as tall almost as Christopher Marlowe himself.” This suggests that even among other tall people at the time, Marlowe stood out due to his impressive height.
In conclusion, while there are no surviving records that provide an exact measurement of Christopher Marlowe’s height, historical documents and literary sources suggest that he was taller than average for the time period and had a commanding presence due to his impressive stature
How Tall Was Christopher Marlowe? A Look at the Evidence
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was an English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in English literature and is credited with introducing a new style of blank verse to the stage. Despite his immense influence on literature, there is still much debate surrounding Marlowe’s life and death. One such mystery that has yet to be solved is his exact height.
The only surviving record of Marlowe’s physical appearance comes from a coroner’s inquest into his death in 1593 which states that he was “of stature tall”. This description does not provide any concrete evidence as to how tall he actually was; however, some scholars have attempted to estimate his height based on other sources.
One such source comes from a letter written by Thomas Kyd in 1592 which mentions that Marlowe had “a very good wit and brave notions” but also notes that he was “in personage tall” when compared to Kyd himself who stood at 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm). This suggests that Marlowe may have been around 6 feet (183 cm) tall or taller than Kyd at the time of writing this letter.
Another source comes from an account by William Cecil who described him as being “taller than ordinary men” when they met in 1589; however, Cecil did not provide any further details about how much taller than average he may have been at this time.
Given these two sources it can be assumed that Christopher Marlowe may have been between 6 feet (183 cm) and 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall during his lifetime; however, without any further evidence it is impossible to know for certain what his exact height may have been.
The Debate Over Christopher Marlowe’s Height: What Do We Know?
The debate over Christopher Marlowe’s height has been ongoing for centuries. While there is no definitive answer, there are several theories that have been proposed.
One theory suggests that Marlowe was of average height for his time period, which would have been around 5’7″. This theory is based on the fact that he was described as being “of good stature” in a 1587 document from the Privy Council. Additionally, a portrait of him painted in 1585 shows him to be of average height.
Another theory suggests that Marlowe was taller than average for his time period, possibly around 6’0″. This theory is based on an account from Thomas Kyd who wrote about Marlowe in 1593 and described him as “taller by half a head than any man I ever saw.”
Finally, some scholars believe that Marlowe may have been shorter than average for his time period due to the fact that he was often referred to as “little Kit” or “Kitling” by those who knew him personally. However, this theory has not been widely accepted due to lack of evidence and conflicting accounts from other sources.
Ultimately, it is impossible to know with certainty what Christopher Marlowe’s exact height was during his lifetime. However, it appears likely that he was either slightly above or slightly below the average height for men during the Elizabethan era (around 5’7″).
Q&A
1. How tall was Christopher Marlowe?
Christopher Marlowe is believed to have been around 5 feet 6 inches tall, although there is no definitive answer as his exact height is unknown.
2. What was the average height of men in Elizabethan England?
The average height of men in Elizabethan England was around 5 feet 4 inches, making Christopher Marlowe slightly taller than the average man at that time.
3. How did Christopher Marlowe’s height compare to other famous playwrights of his time?
William Shakespeare was believed to be about 5 feet 8 inches tall, making him two inches taller than Christopher Marlowe. Ben Jonson and Thomas Kyd were both shorter than Marlowe, with heights estimated at around 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 2 inches respectively.
