Language In Tamburlaine's Language

The devices of language used in the play give magnitude to Tamburlaine and his motives and feelings. As he is the main character, Tamburlaine is also the centre for this development. The images emphasize characteristics of his character and establish the scale on which it is drawn, and they reflect on the motivations of his actions and on the growth of his capacities and vision. As an invincible warrior, he terrorizes his enemies who, “like flocks of fearful toes, / Pursued by hunters, fly his angry looks.” (p.36) Techelles compares him to “princely lions, when they rouse themselves, / Stretching their paws, and threatening herds of beasts.” (p.9) The combination princely lions brings into association the notions of merciless kingship which characterize Tamburlaine’s behaviour and feelings. To his enemies, Tamburlaine is bloody and insatiate, but he regards his behaviour as the manifestation of an aspiration that is made up of all that is most divine and natural to man. Marlowe uses in this connection Jove who overthrew the Titans as an analogue to Tamburlaine, and his actions and behaviour are often compared to notions of divinity.

When Theridamas sees Tamburlaine for the first time, he remarks that “his looks do menace heaven and dare the gods” (p.12), and Tamburlaine assures him that “Jove himself will stretch his hand from heaven / To ward the blow, and shield me safe from harm.”