The Power of Speech in Marlowe's "Tamburlaine" and Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy"

Introduction

In the realm of Elizabethan drama, the power of speech served as a multifaceted tool for playwrights to convey authority, define characters, and engage their audiences. As Rita Mae Brown astutely noted, the significance of speech in a play transcends mere storytelling; it encompasses the ability to set the stage, develop characters, and showcase the playwright's innovative prowess. This essay delves into the distinct ways in which Christopher Marlowe's "Tamburlaine" and Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy" employ language to convey power and authority within their respective narratives.

The Rhetorical Mastery of Tamburlaine

In Marlowe's "Tamburlaine," the protagonist, Tamburlaine, emerges as a commanding figure through the sheer force of his words. In the opening act, Tamburlaine's introduction is orchestrated by other characters, who paint a vivid image of his power. However, it is his interaction with Zenocrate in Act One, Scene Two, that offers the quintessential example of how his words influence those around him. In just a dozen lines, Tamburlaine's generous offerings, promises of safety, declarations of love, and compelling rhetoric transform Zenocrate's perception of him from a mere shepherd to a lord.

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This remarkable feat establishes Tamburlaine as a character who commands respect swiftly, a characteristic that persists throughout the play.

Tamburlaine's rhetorical prowess is instrumental in his success. Elizabethan playwrights often sought to emulate the classical rhetorical styles of authors like Homer and Ovid to elevate their works. Marlowe, recognizing the significance of elocution and effective argumentation, employs various rhetorical features in Tamburlaine's speeches. Tamburlaine's query to his soldiers about playing the orator exemplifies this conscious deployment of rhetorical techniques.

His use of rhetorical figures such as hyperbole, anaphora, and epizeuxis amplifies the persuasiveness of his language, facilitating his ability to persuade soldiers, allies, and even adversaries.

The Subtlety of Language in "The Spanish Tragedy"

In stark contrast to the grandiloquence of "Tamburlaine," "The Spanish Tragedy" by Thomas Kyd is characterized by a more nuanced approach to language. This play can be perceived as one of silences and suppressed speech, where words often conceal motives, manipulate others, and fuel deception. Within this context, the power of silence and unspoken intentions becomes prominent.

The character of the Old Man, or Senex, epitomizes the use of silence as a source of power. The Old Man's inability to articulate the past's connection to the present showcases the potency of silence in the play. As Scott McMillin suggests, the Old Man's silence holds a unique position in a world of rampant language, symbolizing a lack of speech as a means of conveying circumstances.

Lorenzo, a central character, employs a distinct approach to language. He is characterized by his manipulation of words, lies, and deceit. While Lorenzo initially downplays the significance of words and places faith in actions over rhetoric, he later utilizes language as a weapon. This transformation underscores the malleability of language and its potential to shift the balance of power.

Hieronimo's Mastery of Speech in "The Spanish Tragedy"

Hieronimo, another pivotal character in "The Spanish Tragedy," showcases a profound command of language. He refrains from public displays of emotion, instead choosing soliloquies to reveal his inner thoughts and emotions to the audience. This private release of emotion is often more impactful than interactions between characters, as it allows the audience to intimately connect with Hieronimo's grief.

Hieronimo's masterstroke occurs during the play-within-a-play, where he uses language to orchestrate his revenge against those who have wronged him. The dramatic irony lies in the public's inability to comprehend his intentions. His emotional outpouring and the revelation of his son's corpse during the performance evoke powerful emotions within the audience, highlighting the profound impact of his language.

Conclusion

In summary, Marlowe's "Tamburlaine" and Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy" offer contrasting portrayals of the relationship between speech and power in Elizabethan drama. "Tamburlaine" exemplifies the commanding influence of eloquent rhetoric, with Tamburlaine's persuasive language shaping the course of events. In contrast, "The Spanish Tragedy" explores the deceptive potential of language and the potency of silence in a world filled with deceit.

These plays, though distinct in their approaches, share the common thread of the playwright's quest to engage and captivate the audience. Whether through the grandiloquence of Marlowe's Tamburlaine or the subtlety of Kyd's characters in "The Spanish Tragedy," both playwrights skillfully employ language to entertain and immerse their audiences in the complex interplay of power and speech in the Elizabethan era.