But no notice is given of this having been brought on the stage. Later Lightborn asks the king to lie down on the bed.

37 when Gurney gives a light to Lightborn to go into the dungeon. There is no change of scenes though it was thought that one was needed at Line No. The stage arrangements in this scene are not very clear. There is another remarkable aspect which must not go unnoticed. Probably Marlowe drew this character from a devil that appears in the Chester Mystery Cycle. He literally comes with a light in this scene. It has been suggested that the name itself is a translation of Lucifer. The name Lightborn is ambiguous meaning both ?bastard? and ?bearer of light?, and the appropriateness of the second meaning is very ironic. He is both symbolic and disturbingly real. The scene also throws light upon the character of Lightborn. The Jacobean playwrights could think of strange ways of torment and murder but they never tear at our nerves as Marlowe does in this scene. Henry VI is suddenly stabbed Richard II dies fighting and eloquent Richard III and Macbeth are killed in battle Julius Caesar is suddenly stabbed by Casca the Duchess of Malfi makes a pious speech before she is strangled and Marlowe?s own Faustus dominates the scene in his despair. Clifford Leech remarks that no other tragic figure is treated in the degrading way that Mortimer permits for Edward II. Placed beside the ?Death Scene? of Richard II, the ?Murder Scene? of Edward II seems more shocking and awe-inspiring. Wilson remarks that compassion seems not to have come to Marlowe and there is a cruelty in the last scene which we do not find in Shakespeare. Edward is the embodiment of humiliated humanity. But the scene of Edward?s death is too cruel and horrible. His death fills us with a profound sense of sadness. Richard in his last moments inspires affection in the groom and his monologue shows that he is still the poet, a devotee of the fancy. The ?Death Scene? of Richard II has tender poetic touch. In this context a comparison may be invited between the ?Death Scene? of Marlowe?s king in Edward II and Shakespeare?s king Richard II in Richard II.

Edward second by christopher marlowe