The Brightest Fell: Renaissance Variations of the Fall of Lucifer in Marlovian and Shakespearean Drama
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Date
2017-04
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Hood College English and Communication Arts
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Hood College Departmental Honors
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Abstract
Perhaps the greatest struggle for triumph through usurpation, which resulted in immense failure and an eternity of punishment, is the tale of Lucifer, the infamous challenger of God and his kingdom of heaven. Ambitious for power, Lucifer’s attempt to steal God’s throne ends in his banishment from heaven, and a drastic fall from God’s grace into the depths of hell. “The Fall of Lucifer” is a familiar tale with mysterious origins, which many people, regardless of their religious beliefs and upbringing are familiar with. Lucifer’s fall has been showcased in literature and film, and has been the basis for the creation of the underworld. From Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy to John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Lucifer is a recognizable face and a key player in conjuring up most images and interpretations of hell. Lucifer’s fall has been retold time and again, whether it be for the purposes of entertainment or as a serious warning to those who threaten to stray from their dutiful place, yearning to wield more power than to which they are accustomed. The fall incorporates a variety of morals and lessons which caution against the dangers of jealousy, pride, ambition and reaching beyond who we are meant to be and what we are tasked to do. This project will explore the roots of the fall of Lucifer in its medieval play form and examine its progression and reimagined vision for the Renaissance stage.