The Scoundrel (play)

The Scoundrel is a 1935 play written by Edwin Justus Mayer. The play is a biographical drama focusing on the life of 16th-century English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe. The story chronicles Marlowe's rise to literary prominence, his alleged involvement in espionage for Queen Elizabeth I, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his untimely death at the age of 29.

The play explores themes of ambition, betrayal, religious skepticism, and the price of artistic genius. Marlowe is portrayed as a complex and often reckless figure, driven by his intellect and his passions, but also susceptible to the dangerous intrigues of the Elizabethan court. The play delves into the rumors and speculations that surrounded Marlowe’s life, offering a fictionalized account of his involvement with figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and members of a supposed atheistic "School of Night."

While drawing from historical accounts and documented biographical information, The Scoundrel takes significant dramatic liberties, presenting a theatrical interpretation of Marlowe’s life rather than a strictly factual portrayal. The play enjoyed a relatively brief run on Broadway following its debut.