In Christopher Marlowe’s play “Tamburlaine,” Zenocrate and Tamburlaine’s relationship seems to be plagued by a lack of intimacy and sincerity. Although on the surface it may seem as though the couple is in love, do they really possess an undying devotion to each other? When Tamburlaine captures Zenocrate and her caravan, she is horrified by his wild hunger to conquer everything in his sight. Furthermore, as the play continues, Tamburlaine offers her no true emotion or love other than his good looks and fancy words. Even at the end of the play, Tamburlaine refuses to honor Zenocrate’s desperate pleas to save her homeland. He goes so far as to promise her marriage, yet does not follow through with his word. It seems as though Zenocrate, who is blinded by Tamburlaine’s superficial characteristics, is just another one of his conquests. Her true purpose in the play is to complete his romanticized image of the perfect emperor.
Zenocrate’s first impression of Tamburlaine is laden with contempt and disgust. When Tamburlaine and his enormous army find Zenocrate, we immediately learn that she is on her way to meet her fiancée. Even from the beginning, Zenocrate’s thoughts are occupied with continuing her travels to join her fut
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She might serve as an asset to him by representing beauty and gentility to complement his reckless image. In Act III, Zenocrate suddenly declares her love for Tamburlaine and completely disregards his hostile treatment of her. Zenocrate seems to be overpowered by the person Tamburlaine is on the exterior, a smooth talking, flattering, and wealthy man, rather than who he truly is on the inside – a ravenous warrior. Additionally, Tamburlaine believes that his military conquests have some sort of romantic appeal for Zenocrate. Zenocrate herself appears to be an afterthought, as Tamburlaine comes to realize how attractive she is later in the conversation.
Furthermore, Tamburlaine attempts to woo Zenocrate through complimenting her and showering her with lofty promises of wealth and prestige. She blatantly asks Tamburlaine to spare her country, something that is of great sentimental value to her. It seems as though Tamburlaine is not initially struck by her beauty, but only by her material possessions. Zenocrate is clearly horrified by the fact that Tamburlaine chooses to detain a helpless woman who has done nothing to harm him. Furthermore, Tamburlaine engages in the “lawless rapine” of Zenocrate and her convoy (I.
Approximate Word count =
1154
Approximate Pages =
5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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