Literary Genius and Political Violence: Stephen Greenblatt on Marlowe's Dark Renaissance
September 14, 2025
Stephen Greenblatt joined Richard Wolinsky for a wide-ranging conversation about his new book, Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival. Recorded on September 11, the interview explores the extraordinary life and work of Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593) -- playwright of Doctor Faustus, The Jew of Malta, and Edward II; intellectual, provocateur, and spy -- whose daring works shaped Shakespeare’s art and transformed English drama.
In addition to discussing Marlowe’s legacy, Greenblatt reflects on political violence in Elizabethan times and today, connecting themes from his New York Times op-ed, “We Are Watching a Scientific Superpower Destroy Itself.”