W4 - Dr Faustus

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 4

Dr Faustus

You know the story of Dr Faustus and you can relate the play to the time in which it was written.

Christopher Marlowe

1564-1593

University Degree

Spy?

Atheist?

Violent death

Blank verse: Iambic Pentametre

Dr Faustus

But thou, my babe! shalt wander like a breeze

By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags

Spy of Queen Elizabeth, more than vague rumours

Atheist - was arrested for this

Died in a row over a tavern bill - or was that staged and was he killed by secret agents?

Renaissance characteristics: 

• Rediscovery of classics
• Anthropocentric (focus on the individual man)
• Curiosity about the nature of the world:

Scientific experimentation and Exploration

• Carpe Diem - Seize the Day (enjoying life on earth) 

Dr. Faustus Themes

Renaissance values (Man's fundamental curiosity, Love of beauty, wealth and exploration)

Temptation of Power 

Sin and dread of damnation (Christine doctrine)

Which of the last two themes is more prominent in the beginning of the play and which one in the ending of the play, you think? 

Renaissance man: He has an unequalled thirst for knowledge and power to be acquired with the help of that knowledge.

Clash between Medieval ideals (religion, damnation, sin) and Renaissance ideals (curiosity, exploration, knowledge)

The Temptation of power is more prominent in the beginning of the play

1. True
2. False

So then the fear of damnation is more prominent in the end of the play

The story:

• Faustus knows everything there is to know about 'normal' science
• He talks about  logic and wonders as if it's nothing
• Medicine: can it earn him a lot of money if he invents a cure for all diseases?
• Economy, Law, physics: he knows it all. But it doesn't please him and he wants more! 

The Story 2

• He finds a book of necromancy (talking with the death)
  
• His good angel warns him, his bad angel urges him on
• The Mephistopheles appears, first in horrible shape

The Story 3

• Faustus signs a pact: 24 years of being all powerful for his soul.
  
• He writes the pact in his own blood although the warning  "homo fugit" (human run) appears on his arm.

The story 4

Faustus and Mephistophilis talk about the nature of hell

Faustus tests his powers: 

• A beautiful wife?
• He goes to the Pope to taunt him
• Performs tricks for the emperor
• Does nothing of real importance

The Story 5

Twenty-four years have almost passed

The good angel says it is not too late to repent (But Faustus is too proud)

Faustus wishes to see the most beautiful woman that has ever lived: Helen of Troy

Can she save him?

Read the passage on page 73 and try to answer that question.

For the medieval person, pride was one of the greatest sins that one could commit. This concept was based upon the fact that Lucifer's fall was the result of his pride when he tried to revolt against God.

Do you think Helen can save Faustus?

The Story 6

Even Helen can't save him

He start pleading for his life (with the devil):

"Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven, That time may cease, and midnight never come"

The Story 7

 Throughout the play, Faustus gets many chances to turn back to God, but he does not listen. Dramatic effect!

 Faustus leads a bad life: he can do everything, but only commits bad deeds.

 After 24 years of this life, the time has come to pay the price…

 Faustus tries to repent in the end, but then it’s too late!

Watch the final scene performed in Shakespeare's Globe! 

www.britishtheatreguide.info

What's the message of Dr Faustus, you think?

What do you think of the end. Is it just that Faustus is dragged to hell?

Renaissance characteristics: 

• Rediscovery of classics
• Anthropocentric (focus on the individual man)
• Curiosity about the nature of the world:

Scientific experimentation and Exploration

Carpe Diem (enjoying life on earth) 

Dr. Faustus Themes

Renaissance values (Man's fundamental curiosity; Love of beauty, wealth and exploration; focus on the individual)

Temptation of Power 

Sin and dread of damnation (Christine doctrine)

Renaissance hero but is condemned to hell
Satirise Renaissance ideals?

Renaissance man: He has an unequalled thirst for knowledge and power to be acquired with the help of that knowledge.

Clash between Medieval ideals (religion, damnation, sin) and Renaissance ideals (curiosity, exploration, knowledge)

Faustus is a Renaissance hero in that he will do anything to get more knowledge (individualistic doesn't do anything for other people to improve their lives with his power - very much to himself).  By giving Faustus this tragic ending you could argue that Marlowe actually satirises Renaissance ideals and his message could be that people should not give up everything for knowledge and power. 

You know the story of Dr Faustus and you can relate the play to the time in which it was written.

1. Yes
2. Almost
3. No

Questions?

HOMEWORK

Answer the questions on Dr Faustus on LessonUp.