The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe, based on the Faust story, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge. On a deeper level, this play shows to us the decay of a person who chooses material gains (by commanding the devils to suit his desires) over spiritual belief and in doing so, is consumed by the devils themselves. Doctor Faustus was first published in 1604, eleven years after Marlowe's death and at least twelve years after the first performance of the play. An anonymous portrait, often believed to show Christopher Marlowe Christopher (Kit) Marlowe (baptised 26 February 1564 – 30 May 1593) was an English dramatist, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. ... Faust (sometimes Latinized as Faustus) is the protagonist of a popular German tale of a pact with the Devil. ...

Title page to a 1620 printing of Doctor Faustus showing Faustus studying and a demon rising through a stage trap door.

Two versions of the play exist, one dated to 1604 and the other to 1616. The second text shows considerable editing and extension and seems to have been posthumously extended by other hands. It is believed to have been the second of Marlowe's plays given a public performance, and also the first dramatic reworking of the Faust tale. The 1616 version omits some 36 lines in total but gives some 676 lines of new material, making it roughly one third longer than the 1604 version. There exists some small albeit significant changes in both texts, chiefly noted in the verbal differences. An example would be “Never too late, if Faustus can repent.” which is found in the 1604 text and “Never too late, if Faustus will repent.” in the 1616 text. These two verbal differences make a very big difference in the interpretation of the play as a whole since it offers differing possibilities for hope and repentance. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x1308, 1252 KB)Title page of a late edition of Christopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus, with a woodcut illustration of a devil coming up through a trapdoor. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x1308, 1252 KB)Title page of a late edition of Christopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus, with a woodcut illustration of a devil coming up through a trapdoor. ... Events September 6 - English emigrants on the Mayflower depart from Plymouth, England for the future New England and arrive at the end of the year. ...

The 1604 version may be close to the play as it was performed in an abbreviated version and the 1616 text may be close to Marlowe's full-scale production.

In the past, it was assumed that the low comic scenes were additions from other collaborators as opposed to Marlowe himself. Such a view however, probably comes from a lack of theatrical sense. It can now be argued that much of the comedy is a part of the play itself, since it actually details out Faustus's sins for us to see. It also shows the decay of his ambitions and on top of that, offer a range of different interpretations of Faustus's personality. Because this is an Elizabethan play, the playwright, Marlowe in this case, sells the script to a theatrical company and has nothing to do with the publication; thus certain scenes may be dropped or shortened to fit the allocated performing time or the actor's interest and what becomes published is an acting and modified version of the original script. In this article, reference shall be made to the 1604 play.

The Origin of Doctor Faustus

Some scholars believe that Marlowe developed the story from a popular translation, The English Faust in short title [1], of 1592 from a still earlier, unpreserved, German edition of 1587, which itself may have been influenced by even earlier, equally unpreserved pamphlets in the Latin language, such as those that were likely to have inspired Jacob Bidermann's treatment of the damnation of the doctor of Paris, Cenodoxus (1602). Whatever the inspiration, the development of Marlowe's play is very faithful to the book of 1592, especially in terms of the way it mixes comedy with tragedy. Events January 30 - The death of Pope Innocent IX during the previous year had left the Papal throne vacant. ... 1587 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. ... Jacob Bidermann was born in 1578 in the village of Ehingen, about 30 miles southwest of Ulm. ... Cenodoxus, is one of several mediaeval miracle plays by Jacob Bidermann, an early 17th century German seminarian and prolific playwright. ... This page is about the year. ... Events January 30 - The death of Pope Innocent IX during the previous year had left the Papal throne vacant. ...

Play Structure

The play is in blank verse and prose in thirteen scenes (1604) or twenty scenes (1616). Blank verse is largely reserved for the main scenes while prose is used in the comic scenes. There is grand total of 5 acts, with Act 5 being the shortest of each of the Acts. The Chorus unlike other chorus in Greek plays do not interact with the characters in the play but rather serves to give an introduction as well as a conclusion to the play. The Chorus usually gives an introduction to the events that have unfolded at the beginning of an Act. (not all acts) Blank verse is a type of poetry, distinguished by having a regular meter, but no rhyme. ... Prose blah blah blahProse generally lacks the formal structure of meter or rhyme that is often found in poetry. ... Events January 14 – Hampton Court conference with James I of England, the Anglican bishops and representatives of Puritans September 20 – Capture of Ostend by Spanish forces under Ambrosio Spinola after a three year siege. ... Events October 25 — Dirk Hartog makes the second recorded landfall by a European on Australian soil, at an island off the Western Australian coast Pocahontas arrives in England War between Venice and Austria Collegium Musicum founded in Prague Nicolaus Copernicus De revolutionibus is placed on the Index of Forbidden Books...

Characters/Dramatis Persona

Together with Faustus, the main characters are Faustus' servant Wagner, Mephistopheles (also spelled "Mephistophilis"), the demon with whom Faustus deals, a set of clowns (Robin and Dick) in a mocking subplot and a Chorus. Other minor characters include the horse courser, the Carter who are involved largely in comedic scenes with the clowns; the German Emperor Carolus and Duke of Vanholt which Faustus demonstrated most of his skill to; the Good Angel and Bad Angel who represent either as guardians of Faustus or his own inner conscience speaking; Valdes and Cornelius who are magicians that first influenced or perhaps raised Faustus's awareness to the art of Magic. Mephistopheles Mephistopheles (also Mephisto, Mephistophilus, Mephist and Mephistophilis as referred to in the original text) is a name given to one of the chief demons of Christian mythology that figure in European literary traditions. ...

Speaking Characters:

Chorus: Serve as introduction and information of events that has taken place in the play
Doctor Faustus: Main character who summons Mephistophilis the devil and makes a contract
Wagner: Faustus's student and servant. Capable of conjuring devils like Faustus
Good Angel: Representative of the conscience of Faustus or as a Guardian Angel (Divine)
Bad Angel: Representative of the conscience of Faustus or as a Guardian Angel (Unholy)
Valdes: One of the two magicians who impart to Faustus the art of conjuration
Cornelius: The second magician of a duo who are responsible for influencing Faustus
Three scholars: Similar to Faustus, albeit less accomplished and deemed worthy friends by him
Lucifer: Prince of Devils, He is the person to whom the contract is willed to
Mephistopilis: A devil in the serving of Faustus. Also an unhappy spirit that fell with Lucifer
Robin: A clown who is largely involved in comedic scenes
Belzebub: A devil who appears with Lucifer
Pride, Covetousness, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, Sloth, Lechery: Personified Sins by Lucifer
Dick: A clown, usually with Robin
Pope Adrian: A pope who is power hungry and shown as largely defiant of the emperor's authority
Raymond: King of Hungary, part of group that watched the conjuration of Alexander by Faustus
Bruno: Rival Pope to Adrian. Rescued by Faustus and carried on a devil's back
Two Cardinals: Involved in reading the statutes decretal for sentencing Bruno
ArchBishop: From Rheims. A guest of the Pope Adrian treated to a feast
Friars: Lower monks under Pope Adrian
Vinter: Involved in Comic scene with Dick and Robin
Martino: Gentleman at the Emperor's Court. Part of a failed conspiracy to kill Faustus
Frederick: Gentleman at the Emperor's Court. Part of a failed conspiracy to kill Faustus
Benvolio: Gentleman at the Emperor's Court. Mastermind of a failed conspiracy to kill Faustus
The German Emperor: Charles the fifth. The person Faustus demonstrates his art to
Duke of Saxony: A person whom Faustus displayed his wit and art to
Two Soldiers: Involved in a failed conspiracy to kill Faustus
Horse Courser: A clown who is tricked by Faustus when he buys a horse from Faustus
Carter: A clown who is tricked by Faustus when he offers him to eat his hay
Hostess of a tavern: Dispenses drinks
Duke of Vanholt: A person whom Faustus displayed his wit and art to
Duchess of Vanholt: A pregnant lady who is treated to seasonal grapes by Faustus
Servant: Part of Duke Vanholt household
Old Man: A person who comes close to winning Faustus over to divinity

Mute Characters:

Darius: King of Persia, Defeated by Alexander in 334 BC. Conjured by Faustus
Alexander the Great: Conjured by Faustus
Alexander Paramour: Alexander's mistress, Thais
Helen of Troy: The famous beauty that Faustus indulges in to forget his nearing end
Devils: Other devils that were in the service of Faustus
Piper: Led the personified sins on a parade for Faustus
Other misc like Cardinals, Friars, Attendants, two cupids...

Plot Summary

At the start of the Prologue, the Chorus tells us about the type of play Doctor Faustus is. It is not about war or courtly love, but rather about Faustus who was born of parents base of stock (ordinary). It gives an introduction to his wisdom and abilities, most notably in divinity which he excels so tremendously that he is awarded a doctor's name. During this opening, we also get our first clue that Faustus’s end result in which he was damned, was a ploy by God himself. Faustus is likened to the story of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun with his waxen wings and as a result fell to his death when the sun melted the wax. This does indeed clue us to Faustus's end as well as bringing our attention to the idea of hubris (excessive pride) which is represented in the Icarus story.

Faustus comments that he has reached the end of every subject he has studied, for instance, the skill of argumentative attributed to Logic. He dismisses Logic as being a tool for arguing; Medicine as being unvalued unless it allowed raising the dead and immortality; Law as being petty and below him; Divinity as useless because he feels if we all have sins, which meant it was inevitable, and thus be awarded death as a result of sin, makes Divinity as having no sense. He dismisses it as "What doctrine call you this? Che Sera Sera (What will be, shall be)". However, for someone with Faustus’s intelligence as well as superiority and significant education background, he is someone who is very high likely to be aware that there is more than just attaining the end of a subject.

Faustus's statement about sin is interesting because it does help one to conclude if Faustus, who abandons divinity for the devil, was at fault to begin with. This is because it evokes the notion that in the story of Adam and Eve, if the Creator -being all knowing as well as omnipotent- knew that Adam would sin in the end, he should have made Adam resilient to it. (or rather make him of better stuff) This would lead one to think if that being so, it would be the creator's fault as opposed to Adam simply because the creator made him this way, which is in theory, deliberately flawed. This of course brings us to the point that if this was true, would we all not be playthings for our creator? Indeed the play of Doctor Faustus addresses many interesting concepts like these.

All these conclusions are the result of self-selective interpretations and it acts as a consolation for Faustus. This is because Faustus as a renaissance man,is pressured by the environment he is in. Men who serve the community over God are acknowledged and given high esteem. On top of that, the renaissance meant the discovery of the world and man. It made it possible for a man of humble origin to carve a status of power and affluence. Faustus is influenced by the environment –an individual and its society- to carve out greater fame. Apparently, he is not rewarded accordingly or in proportion to his efforts and hence turns to the art of Magic which he says promises power and honour to the studious artisan.

He calls upon his servant Wagner to bring forth Valdes and Cornelius, two famous magicians schooled in the art of Magic. The good angel and the bad angel dispenses their own perspective of his interest in Magic. Though Faustus is momentarily dissuaded, proclaiming "How am I glutted with conceit of this?", he is apparently won over by the possibilities Magic offers to him. Valdes declares that if Faustus devotes himself to Magic, he must vow not to study anything else and points out that great things are indeed possible with someone of Faustus's standing.

Faustus's absence is noted by two scholars who are less accomplished than Faustus himself. They request of Wagner, Faustus's present location, to which Wagner haughtily replies back. We can see Wagner as a person who deems himself of significant social standing. The two scholars worry about Faustus falling deep into the art of Magic and leave to inform the head of the university about it.

Faustus summons a devil, under the presence of Lucifer and other devils although Faustus is unaware of it. With a circle and a ritual speech proclaimed, a devil named Mephistopilis appears before him, to which Faustus who is unable to tolerate the hideous looks of the devil, commands it to change its form to a Franciscan friar. It would seem Faustus is either deliberately unwilling or simply unable to see things the way they are. Faustus, in seeing the obedience of the devil (for changing form), takes pride in his skill and perhaps his inherent talent. He tries to bind the devil to his service but is unable to because Mephistophilis serves Lucifer the prince of devils. Mephistophilis also reveals that it was not Faustus's power that summoned him but rather anyone that abjured the scriptures would result in the devil coming to get one's soul.

Mephistophilis introduces the history of Lucifer and the other devils while indirectly cluing Faustus that hell has no circumference and is more of a state of mind as opposed to a place. Faustus's questioning of hell leads to Mephistophilis saying: "Oh Faustus, leave these frivolous demands, which strikes a terror to my fainting soul." Although it can be said that Mephistophilis is sympathizing or advising Faustus for the better, it seems highly unlikely because it would be inconsistent with Mephistophilis's character in the play. Mephistophilis seems to imply that Faustus's questioning has reminded Mephistophilis of his origins.

Strikes a Deal with Lucifer

Using Mephistophilis as a messenger, Faustus strikes a deal with Lucifer: that he is to be allotted twenty-four years of life on Earth, during which time he will have Mephistophilis as his personal servant, and, at the end of which, he will give his soul over to Lucifer as payment and spend the rest of time as one of the damned in hell. This deal is supposed to be cemented in the form of Faustus' own blood. Interestingly, at first his blood congeals, leading to second thoughts by Faustus. Mephistophilis brings coals to break the wound open again, and thus Mephistophilis begins his servitude and Faustus his oath.

Wastes time doing magic tricks

Faustus begins by learning much about the sciences. He has an interesting debate with Mephistophilis regarding astronomy and the "nine spheres". Two angels, good and bad, appear to Faustus giving him the chance to repent and rebuke his oath with Lucifer. This is the largest fault of Faustus throughout the play, that he is blind to his own salvation. Though he is told initially by Mephistophilis to "leave these frivolous demands, Which strike a terror to my fainting soul," Faustus remains set on his soul damnation.

Lucifer brings to Faustus the personification of the seven deadly sins. Faustus recognizes these as detestable, not pleasing, but ignores the echo of his own 'detestable' life. The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, suggest a classification of vices and were enumerated in their present form by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. ...

A humorous interchange occurs shortly thereafter where Faustus visits the Pope in Rome. Faustus turns invisible and steals the Pope's food from in front of his face. Later, he impresses the Duke of Vanholt by conjuring spirits from Troy.

From this point until the end of the play, Faustus does nothing of worth, having started Mephistophilis' servitude with the attitude that he would be able to do anything. Faustus appears to scholars, and warns them that he is damned and will not be long on the earth. He gives a speech about how he is damned and eventually seems to repent for his deeds. However, Mephistophilis comes and Faustus appears to leave willingly for his eternal damnation.

Loses his Soul

Unlike later adaptations of the legend, notably that of Goethe, Marlowe's Faustus pays the price of his diabolical deal and is irrecoverably damned. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ▶ (help· info) (IPA: ) (pronounced GER tuh)(28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German novelist, dramatist, poet, humanist, scientist, philosopher, and for ten years chief minister of state at Weimar. ...

Famous Monologues

Found in Faustus is a monologue best known to contemporary audiences from a scene in the motion picture Shakespeare in Love. The actual speech, addressed to the summoned shade of Helen of Troy, appears in Act V, scene i. Here it is as found in the Gutenberg project e-text of the 1616 quarto (with footnotes removed). Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 motion picture. ... Helen was the wife of Menelaus and reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the world, and her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War. ...

FAUSTUS.

Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?--
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.--
[Kisses her.]
Her lips suck forth my soul: see, where it flies!--
Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again.
Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these lips,
And all is dross that is not Helena.
I will be Paris, and for love of thee,
Instead of Troy, shall Wittenberg be sack'd;
And I will combat with weak Menelaus,
And wear thy colours on my plumed crest;
Yea, I will wound Achilles in the heel,
And then return to Helen for a kiss.
O, thou art fairer than the evening air
Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars;
Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter
When he appear'd to hapless Semele;
More lovely than the monarch of the sky
In wanton Arethusa's azur'd arms;
And none but thou shalt be my paramour! The term Illion, Ilium has several meanings, including in legends, in anatomy, and in the arts: Ilion or Ilium is an alternative name for the legendary city of Troy. ... Judgement of Paris by Lucas Cranach the Elder (c. ... Walls of the excavated city of Troy (Turkey) Troy (Greek Τροία Troia also Ἰλιον; Latin: Troia, Ilium) is a legendary city, scene of the Trojan War, part of which is described in Homers Iliad, an epic poem in Ancient Greek, composed in the 8th or 7th century BC, but containing older... Menelaus (also transliterated as Meneláos), in Greek mythology, was a king of Sparta and son of Atreus and Aerope. ... The wrath of Achilles, by Léon Benouville In Greek mythology, , transliterated to Akhilleus or Achilleus in Roman letters, Latinized from this ancient Greek to Achilles, appearing in Etruscan as Achle, was a hero (ancient Greek heros, defender) of the Trojan War, the greatest and the most central character of... Atmospheric characteristics Atmospheric pressure 70 kPa Hydrogen ~86% Helium ~14% Methane 0. ... In Greek mythology, Semele, daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia, was the mother of Dionysus (the god and his votaries were both identified as Bacchus) by Zeus. ... Arethusa means the waterer. In Greek mythology, Arethusa was one of the Hesperides A nymph, daughter of Nereus (making her a Nereid), Arethusa ran from a suitor, Alpheus, the river god, making her way to Sicily. ...

Notes

1. The History of the damnable life, and deserved death of Doctor Iohn Faustus by P.F. Gent. The book, if it ever existed, is often described as a chapbook from its method of sale - it was distributed by itinerant peddlers called chapmen. The similarity in storylines between Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, and Jacob Bidermann's tale of the Damnation of the Doctor of Paris, Cenodoxus - involving the demise of a man of remarkable knowledge, gift, and talent - implies a still earlier Latin source for the Faustian legend.

A chapbook is an item of popular literature, as would have formed part of the stock of a chapman, peddler, or other itinerant trader. ... Jacob Bidermann was born in 1578 in the village of Ehingen, about 30 miles southwest of Ulm. ... Cenodoxus, is one of several mediaeval miracle plays by Jacob Bidermann, an early 17th century German seminarian and prolific playwright. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

External links

• 1616 quarto online
• The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus Full Text.