Desire and Death can be seen throughout many Elizabethan tragedies usually they are linked in order to create a major flaw in the character of the main protagonist. These two themes are also often used to bring a play to its finale. The term desire has various meanings; it could be a physical, sensual appetite for lust or an object which is desired or longed for. In the case of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, it is Homosocial desire, Edwards' condition of desiring; that is his feeling or emotions are directed at the getting or possessing of an object, Gaveston, from which pleasure or satisfaction is expected. This essay will examine Christopher Marlowe's Edward II and William Shakespeare's Richard III in detail to show the connections between desire and death and discuss these roles in relation to these two plays, firstly looking at Marlowe's Edward II then Shakespeare's Richard III.
             The themes of death and desire in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II take many different forms, King Edwards' desire for Gaveston being the most prominent. Ultimately this desire leads not only to his downfall, but that of Gaveston's also. Kent warns Edward 'My lord, I see your love to Gaveston/ Will be the ruin of the realm and you,'(II.2.207-208) but to no avail as Edward's desire for Gaveston seems to govern not only his emotional feelings, but also the way in which he rules his kingdom. The word 'love' in the above quote refers not to courtly love which is recurrent throughout many Renaissance plays, but instead to his homosexual relationship with Gaveston. This relationship reveals Edward to be unstable and effeminate to his court and therefore, potentially an easy target for an uprising. Gaveston's desire though, is to do more with status than love. His opening soliloquy states:
             What greater bliss can hap poor Gaveston
             Than live and be favourite of a king!
             Sweet pr...