What do scenes 1 and 3 tell us about Elizabethan beliefs?

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What do scenes 1 and 3 tell us about Elizabethan beliefs?

By Hayley Sheath 12MF

Scene 1.

The opening speech to Scene 1 demonstrates how Elizabethan people began to think differently, due to the Renaissance. Lines1-3 tell us abut Faustus’ education, as does the use of Latin; this shows that Faustus is educated. Followed by line 4 –‘Yet level at the end of every work’, that shows how he now considering all options. As a Renaissance man, he no longer has to live the life he was intended to (for example to follow his father’s career); instead, he has choices.

Line 5 refers to Aristotle, whose work in Elizabethan times was disputed by another philosopher, Ramus. This proves how Elizabethan people were beginning to challenge their own opinions, and the opinions of others, as well as thinking of new ideas- all typical Renaissance attitudes.

This first speech also reveals the greed the Elizabethans had for knowledge, a typical Renaissance trait. Faustus asks ‘Affords this art no greater miracle’, while talking about philosophy. This is saying he needs more than just philosophy, more than just learning, he has experienced both of this already: he wants something new.

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To satisfy their greed for knowledge many Elizabethans went travelling, in hope to discover more. Lines 82-83- ‘I’ll have them fly to India for gold, Ransack the ocean for orient pearl,’ show how Faustus wants to go travelling, and shows his greed for materialistic objects.

It also shows the arrogance of the time, Faustus believes he can do anything, yet he is actually not prepared to put any effort in. He says ‘the reward of sin is death. That’s hard’, while talking about becoming a priest. This shows that he wants to have fun, he does not want to exert ...

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