Marlowe's Hero and Leander :Supreme expression of Renaissance temper

By NEERAJ BHATT, 8th Jan 2012 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/3vzweiru/
Posted in Wikinut>Reviews>Books>Poetry, Drama & Criticism

Son of a shoe-maker-Christopher Marlowe wrote Hero and Leander,set the fashion of mythological stories in verse after the manner of Ovid.

Marlowe's Hero and Leander :Supreme expression of Renaissance temper

Renaissance means revival of classical learning.The long -forgotten treasures of Greek and Latin literature were brought to light.In the beginning of the first Sestiad of Hero and Leander Christopher Marlowe says :
"At Sestos Hero dwelt; Hero the fair,
Whom young Apollo courted for her hair."
The Renaissance temper is marked with a growing sense of beauty and an increasing enrichment of life.Frank and bold enjoyment of life was the order of the day.Beauty was a passion with the then people.Men liked to eat well,drink heavily , and dress extravagantly.Marlowe describes the dress of Hero in the following lines :
"The outside of her garments were of lawn,
The lining purple silk,with gilt stars drawn
Her wide sleeves green,and bordered with a grove,
Where Venus in her naked glory strove."
It was an age of pomp,show and splendor.Money was spent lavishly on rich clothes and jewels in Renaissance period.Marlowe says of Hero :
"Many would praise the sweet smell as she past,
When it was the odour which her breath forth cast."
The glory and grandeur of Hero is unique :
"Upon her head she wore a myrtle wreath."
And again :
"About her neck hung chains of pebble-stone,
Which lightened by her neck,like diamonds shone."
Marlowe was a new kind of English poet.
His mind was striving after power,wealth and beauty.
"She wore no gloves;for neither Sun nor wind
Would burn or parch her hands,but to her mind,
Or warm or cool them,for they took delight

To play upon these hands,they were so white."
Hero was so beautiful that Cupid pined for her.
"Some say for her the fairest Cupid
And,looking in her face,was strooken blind."
Leander,too,is amorous,beautiful and young.His dangling tresses were never shorn.Cynthia hankered after his hands.Marlowe pens :
"Fair Cynthia wish'd his arms might be her sphere
Grief makes her pale,because she moves not there."
Marlowe paid much attention to physical perfection.He says :
"His body was as straight as Circe's wand;
Jove might have sipt out nectar from his hand
So was his neck in touching,and surpast
The white of Pelop's soldier :I could tell ye
How smooth his breast was,and how white his belly."
Leander stands for sensuous pleasures.
"Some swore he was a maid in man's attire.
For in his looks were all that men desire,
A pleasant -smiling cheek,a speaking eye."
Classical mythology,catered to the aesthetic taste of the Renaissance men.How beautifully Marlowe makes use of mythology is to be enjoyed in the following lines :
"The walls were of discoloured jasper-stone
Wherein was Proteus carved"
The pavement was "of crystal shining fair."
There were Gods,"in sundry shapes"
"Committing headie riots,incest rapes."
Leander is a bold sharp sophister whose words are 'full of simplicity and naked truth'.He is
"Beyond the bounds of shame , in being bold
To eye those parts which no eye should behold." But Hero is a character 'whose only dower was her chastity.'
Freedom of thought and freedom of action were the dominant passions. Rules and regulations were openly flouted and all restraints were thrown to the winds.There was no fixity of any kind.
Marlowe aspired after beauty ----beauty in every form----except the beauty of holiness. He is the poet of passion par excellence. He speaks of the rapture of beauty.Viewing Leander's face Hero fainted and fell down.
"He kissed her,and breath'd life into her lips."
"He ask'd,she gave,and nothing was denied
Both to each other quickly were affied."

"Sad Hero wrung him by the hand,and wept
Saying,"Let your vows and promises be kept."

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Meet the author

NEERAJ BHATT
POETRY&CULTURE
Reading poetry is my passion.

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Comments

Madan singh
19th Jan 2012 (#)

Excellent piece. i must commend you on your knowledge of English literature

Marlowe's Hero and Leander :Supreme expression of Renaissance temper