How did Christopher Marlowe influence English tragedy?

Christopher Marlowe was a pivotal figure in the development of English tragedy, serving as the most significant predecessor to William Shakespeare in dramatic literature. His influence on the genre is defined by several key contributions:1

• Establishment of Blank Verse: Marlowe developed blank verse into a powerful, musical, and emotionally resonant instrument for the stage. His use of "high astounding terms" provided a new level of rhetorical elevation that transformed English dramatic poetry.234
• The Tragic Hero: He introduced protagonists defined by towering, often amoral ambition, such as in Tamburlaine the Great and The Jew of Malta. These characters challenged traditional social, moral, and religious norms, reflecting the anxieties of the Renaissance era.34
• Tragic Ambiguity: Marlowe infused his works with a sense of ambiguity reminiscent of Greek tragedy, balancing awe, pity, and fear. In Doctor Faustus, he explored the internal conflict of modern individualism, creating what is often considered the first Christian tragedy by depicting a man torn between traditional faith and his own intellectual desires.4