Christopher Marlowe, Lucan's First Book

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Christopher Marlowe’s translation,

Lucan’s First Book

, was entered into the Stationer’s Register with

Hero and Leander

in September, 1593, and not printed until 1600 as

Hero and Leander: begunne by Christopher Marloe: whereunto is added the first booke of Lucan translated line for line by the same author

(STC (2nd ed.) 17415). There are obvious parallels between Lucan’s text and Marlowe’s philosophical interests in Book I, but it is difficult to affix a date of translation. Some have argued that the translation was probably written during the time when the theatres in London were closed in 1592-3, while others argue for an earlier date, placing the translation within Marlowe’s Cambridge years. Both the style and the subject matter of Lucan’s epic

Pharsalia

provided Marlowe…

2701 words

Citation: Ward, Allyna. "Lucan's First Book". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 25 February 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3813, accessed 19 March 2024.]

3813 Lucan's First Book 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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