The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus
Alison Crivellaro Cope Lovell
characters
characters
characters
A classic tale that never dies
Faustus’s story serves as a warning to those who would sacrifice righteous living for earthly gain. But Marlowe’s play is also a deeply symbolic analysis of the shift from the late medieval world to the early modern world — a time when the medieval view of theology was at odds with the emerging new Humanist viewpoints of statesmen and scholars. Caught between these ideals, Faustus is both a tragic fool destroyed by his own ambition and a hero at the forefront of a changing society. In Doctor Faustus, Marlowe thoughtfully examines faith and enlightenment, nature and science — and the terrible cost of the objects of our desire. Works based on the Faust Legend literally number in the hundreds according to Wikipedia.
Brief summary
The title refers to the play's protagonist as well as the historic figure Dr. John Faustus—an English version of the name Johann Fausten—who was a self-proclaimed magician and wizard at a time when witchcraft was feared and condemned by Catholics and Protestants alike. The play was first published in 1604 with the more lengthy title. The extended title calls attention to the play's genre but also provides a contrast. Doctor Faustus is not the typical well-to-do hero of a tragedy. In fact, he's a commoner, which suggests that no one is immune to tragedy.
Faustus soon conjures a demon from Hell, Mephastophiles, who offers him a deal: Seeing that Faustus is driven by desire for money, fame, and power, he offers to be the man's servant for 24 years, at which point Lucifer will claim Faustus' soul and take him to Hell for eternity. Despite supernatural intervention, Faustus agrees.
Faustus, a brilliant scholar from Whittenberg, soon grows bored with his studies in philosophy and religion, and becomes curious about necromancy, or communicating with the dead. He starts conjuring dark magic to the dismay of his teachers but the delight of his friends, Valdese and Cornelius.
vs.
vs
Scene 3- the pact with the devil
Faustus conjures Mephistophilis, who appears in a hideous shape, and Faustus tells him that he is too ugly and should leave, then return in the shape of a Franciscan friar. Faustus is elated that he has the power to call up this devil. As soon as Mephistophilis reappears, Faustus finds that it is not his conjuration which brings forth a devil; a devil will appear any time that a person abjures the name of the trinityMephistophilis tells Faustus that Lucifer is a fallen angel who, because of pride and insolence, revolted against God and was cast into hell. When Faustus begins to inquire about the nature of hell, Mephistophilis answers that hell is wherever God is not present. Faustus chides Mephistophilis for being so passionate about being deprived of the joys of heaven, and then sends him back to Lucifer with the proposal that Faustus will exchange his soul for twenty-four years of unlimited power. After Mephistophilis leaves, Faustus dreams of all the glorious deeds he will perform with his new power.
FAUSTUS.
[Stabbing his arm.] Lo, Mephistophilis, for love of thee,
I cut mine arm, and with my proper blood
Assure my soul to be great Lucifer's,
Chief lord and regent of perpetual night!(60)
View here the blood that trickles from mine arm,
And let it be propitious for my wish.
........ My blood congeals, and I can write no more.
MEPHISTOPHILIS.
I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. [Exit Mephistophilis.] FAUSTUS.
What might the staying of my blood portend?
Is it unwilling I should write this bill?
Why streams it not, that I may write afresh?(70)
"Faustus gives to thee his soul". Ah, there it stayed!
Why should'st thou not? Is not thy soul thine own?
Then write again, "Faustus gives to thee his soul."
Scene 4: the signature
Sections like thiselp you create order
Scenes 6-11 summary
Faustus quickly forgets his pursuit of power and fortune, instead opting for twenty years of playing tricks on people, deceiving them, and impressing the wealthy. Basically, he sold his soul for a few years of cheap parlor tricks.
The End...
As the twenty-four years of his deal with Lucifer come to a close, Faustus begins to dread his impending death. He has Mephastophilis call up Helen of Troy, and uses her presence to impress a group of scholars. An old man urges Faustus to repent, but Faustus drives him away. Faustus summons Helen again and exclaims rapturously about her beauty. But time is growing short. Faustus tells the scholars about his pact, and they are horror-stricken and resolve to pray for him. On the final night before the expiration of the twenty-four years, Faustus is overcome by fear and remorse. He begs for mercy, but it is too late. At midnight, a host of devils appears and carries his soul off to hell. In the morning, the scholars find Faustus’s limbs and decide to hold a funeral for him.
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- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
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- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
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Faustus
Alison Cope
Created on October 27, 2023
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Transcript
The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus
Alison Crivellaro Cope Lovell
characters
characters
characters
A classic tale that never dies
Faustus’s story serves as a warning to those who would sacrifice righteous living for earthly gain. But Marlowe’s play is also a deeply symbolic analysis of the shift from the late medieval world to the early modern world — a time when the medieval view of theology was at odds with the emerging new Humanist viewpoints of statesmen and scholars. Caught between these ideals, Faustus is both a tragic fool destroyed by his own ambition and a hero at the forefront of a changing society. In Doctor Faustus, Marlowe thoughtfully examines faith and enlightenment, nature and science — and the terrible cost of the objects of our desire. Works based on the Faust Legend literally number in the hundreds according to Wikipedia.
Brief summary
The title refers to the play's protagonist as well as the historic figure Dr. John Faustus—an English version of the name Johann Fausten—who was a self-proclaimed magician and wizard at a time when witchcraft was feared and condemned by Catholics and Protestants alike. The play was first published in 1604 with the more lengthy title. The extended title calls attention to the play's genre but also provides a contrast. Doctor Faustus is not the typical well-to-do hero of a tragedy. In fact, he's a commoner, which suggests that no one is immune to tragedy.
Faustus soon conjures a demon from Hell, Mephastophiles, who offers him a deal: Seeing that Faustus is driven by desire for money, fame, and power, he offers to be the man's servant for 24 years, at which point Lucifer will claim Faustus' soul and take him to Hell for eternity. Despite supernatural intervention, Faustus agrees.
Faustus, a brilliant scholar from Whittenberg, soon grows bored with his studies in philosophy and religion, and becomes curious about necromancy, or communicating with the dead. He starts conjuring dark magic to the dismay of his teachers but the delight of his friends, Valdese and Cornelius.
vs.
vs
Scene 3- the pact with the devil
Faustus conjures Mephistophilis, who appears in a hideous shape, and Faustus tells him that he is too ugly and should leave, then return in the shape of a Franciscan friar. Faustus is elated that he has the power to call up this devil. As soon as Mephistophilis reappears, Faustus finds that it is not his conjuration which brings forth a devil; a devil will appear any time that a person abjures the name of the trinityMephistophilis tells Faustus that Lucifer is a fallen angel who, because of pride and insolence, revolted against God and was cast into hell. When Faustus begins to inquire about the nature of hell, Mephistophilis answers that hell is wherever God is not present. Faustus chides Mephistophilis for being so passionate about being deprived of the joys of heaven, and then sends him back to Lucifer with the proposal that Faustus will exchange his soul for twenty-four years of unlimited power. After Mephistophilis leaves, Faustus dreams of all the glorious deeds he will perform with his new power.
FAUSTUS. [Stabbing his arm.] Lo, Mephistophilis, for love of thee, I cut mine arm, and with my proper blood Assure my soul to be great Lucifer's, Chief lord and regent of perpetual night!(60) View here the blood that trickles from mine arm, And let it be propitious for my wish. ........ My blood congeals, and I can write no more. MEPHISTOPHILIS. I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. [Exit Mephistophilis.] FAUSTUS. What might the staying of my blood portend? Is it unwilling I should write this bill? Why streams it not, that I may write afresh?(70) "Faustus gives to thee his soul". Ah, there it stayed! Why should'st thou not? Is not thy soul thine own? Then write again, "Faustus gives to thee his soul."
Scene 4: the signature
Sections like thiselp you create order
Scenes 6-11 summary
Faustus quickly forgets his pursuit of power and fortune, instead opting for twenty years of playing tricks on people, deceiving them, and impressing the wealthy. Basically, he sold his soul for a few years of cheap parlor tricks.
The End...
As the twenty-four years of his deal with Lucifer come to a close, Faustus begins to dread his impending death. He has Mephastophilis call up Helen of Troy, and uses her presence to impress a group of scholars. An old man urges Faustus to repent, but Faustus drives him away. Faustus summons Helen again and exclaims rapturously about her beauty. But time is growing short. Faustus tells the scholars about his pact, and they are horror-stricken and resolve to pray for him. On the final night before the expiration of the twenty-four years, Faustus is overcome by fear and remorse. He begs for mercy, but it is too late. At midnight, a host of devils appears and carries his soul off to hell. In the morning, the scholars find Faustus’s limbs and decide to hold a funeral for him.
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.