A writer of the Elizabethan age, Marlowe counts Doctor Faustus and The Jew of Malta among his more performed plays. An alleged spy, Marlowe was also a purported atheist, which would have made him an enemy of the church and state. He died in mysterious circumstances, and all his plays were published posthumously. His Doctor Faustus, which is based on a German legend of a scholar who makes a deal with the devil, departs from the traditional tale in that it does not offer the protagonist a path to redemption.
Classical English plays are not just restricted to Shakespeare—texts by other classical playwrights offer the opportunity to explore different themes and linguistic styles, providing actors with the chance to broaden their experiences and skill sets.