This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

   The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus

   

   This classic work of literature revolves around the character of Doctor Faustus, a scholar who is dissatisfied with traditional forms of knowledge and yearns for more. In his quest for ultimate power and understanding, he makes a deal with the devil, selling his soul in exchange for 24 years of service from the devil's agent, Mephistopheles. Despite the pleasures and knowledge he gains, Faustus eventually regrets his deal as he faces eternal damnation, symbolizing the human struggle between ambition and morality.

   The 627th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. The Jew Of Malta

   

   The play is a dark and complex exploration of religious conflict, greed, and revenge set in Malta during the 16th century. It follows the story of Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant whose fortune is seized by the Christian governor to pay tribute to the Turks. In retaliation, Barabas embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance, manipulating and betraying those around him, including his own daughter. The narrative unfolds with a series of violent and treacherous events, ultimately leading to Barabas's downfall. The work delves into themes of power, corruption, and the destructive nature of prejudice, highlighting the moral ambiguities and societal tensions of the time.

   The 4898th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

3. 3. Complete Plays And Poems

   

   This collection brings together the dramatic and poetic works of a prominent figure in English literature, known for his influence on the Elizabethan drama and for being a contemporary of Shakespeare. The volume includes his famous tragedies, which delve into themes of ambition, power, and human frailty, as well as his historical plays and lesser-known poetry. The author's masterful use of blank verse and overreaching protagonists have cemented his works as classics, showcasing his ability to blend classical themes with Renaissance humanism and to explore complex characters who grapple with inner turmoil and the constraints of their societies.

   The 5392nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

4. 4. Edward Ii

   

   The play is a historical tragedy that revolves around the reign of a flawed monarch whose personal weaknesses lead to his downfall. It explores the king's intense and controversial relationship with his favorite, Gaveston, which incurs the wrath of the nobility, his wife, and ultimately contributes to his loss of power. Themes of political ambition, betrayal, and the struggle for authority are central as the king's inability to manage his affections and the demands of his throne result in civil strife and his eventual violent demise. The play is a study of a ruler undone by personal failings and the ruthless machinations of those around him, set against the backdrop of the political complexities of medieval England.

   The 15725th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon
5. 5. Doctor Faustus And Other Plays

   The Revels Plays

   

   This collection of plays delves into the complexities of human ambition, morality, and the supernatural. The central narrative follows a scholar who, in his insatiable quest for knowledge and power, makes a pact with the devil, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall. Interwoven with themes of hubris and the eternal struggle between good and evil, the plays explore the consequences of overreaching ambition and the eternal quest for meaning in a world governed by fate and divine intervention. The characters are vividly drawn, embodying the timeless conflict between human desires and moral constraints.

   The 15902nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

6. 6. Tamburlaine

   The Scythian Shepherd

   

   Set in the late 14th century, this dramatic play follows the meteoric rise of a lowly shepherd who transforms into a formidable conqueror, driven by an insatiable thirst for power and glory. As he embarks on a relentless campaign across Asia, the protagonist's charisma and strategic prowess enable him to amass a vast empire, challenging established rulers and defying the limits of human ambition. The narrative explores themes of ambition, fate, and the transient nature of power, while delving into the psychological complexities of its central character, whose relentless pursuit of dominance ultimately raises questions about the cost of unchecked ambition.

7. 7. Hero And Leander

   

   Set against the backdrop of classical mythology, this poetic narrative unfolds the tragic love story of two star-crossed lovers, Hero and Leander. Hero, a beautiful priestess of Venus, resides in a tower by the sea, while Leander, a handsome youth from across the Hellespont, becomes enamored with her beauty. Driven by passion, Leander swims across the treacherous waters each night to be with Hero, guided by the light of her lamp. Their love, however, is doomed by fate, as a storm extinguishes the guiding light, leading to Leander's untimely demise and leaving Hero heartbroken. The tale explores themes of love, desire, and the cruel twists of destiny.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

8. 8. Edward The Second

   

   Set in the turbulent political landscape of 14th-century England, this historical drama explores the tragic downfall of a monarch whose personal desires and favoritism lead to his undoing. The narrative follows the king's intense and controversial relationship with his favorite, Gaveston, which incites the ire of the nobility and ultimately results in a series of betrayals and power struggles. As tensions escalate, the king's inability to balance personal affection with the demands of leadership leads to his capture and eventual demise, painting a poignant picture of the perils of unchecked passion and political naivety.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

9. 9. The Complete Plays

   

   A vivid collection of Elizabethan dramas that dramatize ambition, power, and transgression through towering, often tragic protagonists and sharp political intrigue; the plays combine incendiary rhetoric and heroic blank verse with scenes of seduction, brutality, and moral reckoning, exploring themes of overreaching pride, religious conflict, and the costs of ruling or rebelling. The result is a body of intense, rhetorically charged tragedy and history that helped shape early modern English drama and influenced later writers with its bold characters and striking poetic energy.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org