International Journal of Language & Linguistics

Islam, Catholicism and Judaism as Foreign Objects in Christopher Marlowe’s Plays
Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Mutawa

Abstract
The Elizabethan era was marked by various political, social and religious milestones in the history of England. Christopher Marlowe sought controversy in the subjects of his plays, which many critics have seen as reflecting his atheism. In his treatment of dissemblance and hypocrisy, Marlowe frequently invoked Machiavellianism, going so far as to relate it to Catholicism. He also made many references to Islam and Judaism. This article examines how Marlowe treated these three religions in his plays, particularly The Jew of Malta and Tamburlaine the Great. It analyses them as foreign objects, drawing parallels with Machiavellianism to demonstrate the degree of wickedness that Marlowe ascribes to their respective adherents. The purpose of this study is to shed light on Marlowe’s depiction of these three foreign objects, juxtaposing their treatment to explore similarities and differences in how the playwright viewed them and whether this can be related to his purported atheism.

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