Write a detailed analysis of the prologue and how it introduces us to the themes of the play - Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

The chorus also provides the audience with a little aid to give them an idea of what to expect; “To patient judgements we appeal our applaud.”  He appeals to the audience that they need to be patient because the play is much more sophisticated than usual therefore they should make their judgements at the end and not beforehand.

The chorus notifies the audience of Faustus’ background; “… his parents base of stock, / In Germany, within a town called Rhodes … his kinsmen brought him up.”  Such information sets the scene before the play begins and also makes the audience aware of what stage in Faustus’ life the play will open.

The chorus establishes and sows the seed of the type of imagery or themes that are going to be recurrent in the play.  For example the imagery of food is used several times as a metaphor. The use of the word fruitful emphasises Faustus’ success and achievements in his study.  The imagery of food continues in the lines “glutted more with learning’s golden gifts, / He surfeits upon cursed necromancy.”  Faustus has overeaten with knowledge and finds he can eat to greater success with the study of “necromancy.”  There is also reference to religious imagery which evident through the word “heavens” which evokes the audience to think about the idea of good verses evil that dominates the play.  The audience are reminded of the “waxen wings” of Icarus implying that Faustus will also suffer a downfall because he has given in to temptation.

Although enough information is revealed in the prologue that the audience have a brief idea of what to expect and what the themes of the play are, it is not enough to ruin their anticipation.  Yet the prologue functions as a convention to whet their appetite in the similar way to a blurb at the back of a book cover and a trailer at the beginning of a film.