Dido Book:

The Life of Marlowe and the Tragedy of Dido Queen of Carthage (Works and Life of Christopher Marlowe Ser.) Reviews:
Marlowe's Underrated Play
2006-07-24 - As William Shakespeare wrote one play based on the conflicts between Greece and Troy ("Troilus and Cressida"), so Marlowe wrote his "Dido Queen of carthage." Obviously, Shakespeare's "Troilus and Cressida" was written after Marlowe's play. Still, you may wish to read Shakespeare's play first seeing that the events in his play come before the events in Marlowe's play. This is one of the few plays of Marlowe's not even mentioned in the movie "Shakespeare In Love." It never quite obtained the popularity of his "Jew of Malta" or "Dr. Faustus." Nevertheless, it is still a good play.

The story begins with Jupiter and Venus discussing the defeat of Troy. After Venus pleads on her son Aeneas's behalf, Jupiter promises that Aeneas will be spared and that Troy will rise again. Surviving Trojans Ilioneus and Clothas meet with Irabas (King of Gaetulia) and he welcomes them warmly and offers his hospitality. These surviving Trojans are later joined by Aeneas, his son Ascanius, and Achates. In a memorable passage, Aeneas tells of how Troy was defeated. He is also mentions one of the things he is most famous for. (Carrying his wounded father on his shoulders.)

Well, moving on, Aeneas's mother Venus takes Aeneas's son Ascanius and has her son Cupid impersonate Ascanius and influence Dido. She wants to beautiful queen Dido to marry Aeneas. Well, the plan starts to work, and Dido falls in love with Aeneas, and Aeneas accepts. All SEEMS well. But of course, the play is far from over.

Marlowe sets up a triangle. We know Dido loves Aeneas. Well, Irabas loves Dido (who does not reciprocate), and Anna loves Irabas (who does not reciprocate). Irabas prays to Jupiter for help, and Mercury tells Aeneas (in a dream) that he must return to Italy. Naturally, Aeneas is reluctant. Dido is able to convince Aeneas to defy Mercury for a short while, but to be sure, she steals Aeneas's oars and sails.

Well, Aeneas is content to stay, but Mercury himself comes on the scene. He brings Ascanius back to Aeneas and explains that he can not defy Jupiter any longer. Aeneas if of course upset, but he knows that he can not risk the wrath of the gods. Irabas is of course happy to provide Aeneas with the supplies he needs to leave. Poor Dido makes every attempt she can to stop Aeneas. She even offers to hand her crown to Anna if Anna can stop Aeneas. But even this final desperate attempt fails.

(Interesting side note: Anna loved her sister very much, and probably did not need this offer to carry through her request.) Dido gives a final articulate and touching passage before she kills herself. In a scene that combines beauty and horror, Irabas kills himself, and Anna concludes the play with her suicide. While I can't quite place this play up there with "Edward II" or "Dr. Faustus," it is a great play where Marlowe offers good passages and some really well drawn emotional episodes.



An Excellent Sequel To a Memorable Classic
2000-03-26 - Marlowe deserves credit for even trying to write a sequel to Homer's Trojan War. Jupiter (or Zeus) offers a powerful opening when he promises to aid the survivng Trojans including Aeneas. The triangle between Dido, Aneas, and Iarbus serves to keep us in suspense. The regrouping of the survivng Trojans is a memorable scene. Aeneas' telling of the war in 2.1 is dramatic and powerful. (Especially when he blames himself for allowing the Trojan Horse into their gates.) Juno (or Hera) is chilling as the venomous woman she usually is. Iarbas and Anna draw sympathy as victims of unrequited love. The tragic parting of Aeneas and Dido is quite moving, and the triple suicide of Dido, Iarbas, and Anna is a sorrowful, chilling, and yet beautifully done ending. Only Marlowe could follow up Homer's Trojan War with a sequel of this outstanding quality!