Do you think that the lines of the Chorus which end Doctor Faustus sum up satisfactorily the meaning of the play?
Do you think that the lines of the Chorus which end Doctor Faustus sum up satisfactorily the meaning of the play?
The Chorus provides several subjective and realistic appraisals of the play in different sections, providing a clear and concise explanation of the characters and the events. The epilogue is no different to any of these previous interventions.
However, the question remains as to whether the chorus 'sums up satisfactorily the meaning of the play?' This can be answered in one of two ways, depending on whether you consider the epilogue as a summary of the play and the dangers posed, or as a brief explanation of the plays moral message.
If the Chorus is used as a summary of the play then it fails to meet the required criteria and therefore cannot be considered as satisfactory. This is because the play is in no way explained and the audience is not clearly reminded of the plays beginning, this is only hinted at - 'Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight'. The play is also briefly mentioned when Faustus has descended into hell, as is implied by the sentence 'Regard his hellish fall'. Apart from these brief references the Chorus simply laments the life of Faustus, the fact that he was a great scholar who was tempted by evil and eventually lost everything that he held dear.
For example, the initial image of the 'branch that might have grown full straight' having been 'cut' implies that Faustus' talent was undeniable and his potential to succeed was limitless. Instead it became twisted and deformed, as can be expected when a branch is cut, Faustus' genius was wasted because of his desire and greed for more, similar to a person when cutting a branch, they ruin the plant because they desire more from it.
The description of Faustus as 'Apollo's laurel bough' indicates that Faustus was a true genius and that this cannot be forgotten, regardless ...
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For example, the initial image of the 'branch that might have grown full straight' having been 'cut' implies that Faustus' talent was undeniable and his potential to succeed was limitless. Instead it became twisted and deformed, as can be expected when a branch is cut, Faustus' genius was wasted because of his desire and greed for more, similar to a person when cutting a branch, they ruin the plant because they desire more from it.
The description of Faustus as 'Apollo's laurel bough' indicates that Faustus was a true genius and that this cannot be forgotten, regardless of his sins and errors. This is because the accolade of 'Apollo's laurel bough' was the highest praise amongst scholars at the time.
The Chorus attempts to justify Faustus' downfall by explaining that a 'deepness doth entice such forward wits'. This tells me that even a great scholar can be brought into the subversive world of necromancy, that it takes only one feeling of lust or greed. I feel that the word 'entice' implies that Faustus was lured into evil and that once he was there he was unable of escaping on his own, despite his intelligence.
I believe that the description of Faustus' 'hellish fall' not only describes literally his final moments as he was dragged into hell, but also his descent from genius into baseness and childish pranks. For example, in the opening scene we find Faustus debating which area of study he should apply himself to as he was capable of any achievement, this is no idle boast which is seen in his description as 'Apollo's laurel bough' and a 'learned man'. However, as his quest for knowledge and answers leads him to Rome he is convinced my Mephostophilis to play a prank on the Pope, also whenever Faustus begins to question his loyalty to Lucifer he is 'treated' to a show of fireworks or a to colourful parade. It is this descent into mindless indulgence and transient enjoyment from the genius of Faustus that is really being described as the 'hellish fall'.
The language used to describe the collapse of Faustus' morals is also very violent, for example 'burned is Apollo's laurel bough', the burning image reflects many peoples vision of hell and is also associated with a great deal of pain.
Also, the fact that the 'branch' has been 'cut' implies that it was not an act that Faustus had any control over, that he was merely an object to be toyed with and eventually ruined.
The Chorus also lightly hints at the restraints that are placed on people and that these restraints should never be breached, this is done in the final two lines of the epilogue, 'entice such forwards wits, To practise more than heavenly power permits'. This implies that it is only through the luring of people by Lucifer that people commit their sins and that even then there are limits. The Devil cannot practise services of God, for example Mephostophilis cannot get Faustus a wife, as it is a holy ritual.
The Chorus aims to remain objective and indifferent to the manner of Faustus' downfall, this can be seen when it suggests that 'Faustus is gone. Regard his hellish fall'. I believe that by suggesting that we merely 'regard' Faustus' descent into necromancy and the dangers that this course poses rather than try to make judgement. It is implied that we are no qualified to make that judgement, who can say that they would be able to resist the temptations of Lucifer himself? As this play shows, even the most intelligent and respected of scholars can fall prey to their own desires, as can be seen in the lines
'Whose fiendful fall may exhort the wise,
Only to wonder at unlawful things,
Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits,
To practice more than heavenly power permits.'
It can be said that the Chorus is attempting to council us not to make the same mistakes that Faustus made, as can be seen in the lines 'fiendful fortune may exhort the wise, only to wonder at unlawful things'. This suggestion encourages us to look but not to touch, as this act can have fatal consequences. However, this idea is juxtaposed with the suggestion that it is not entirely Faustus' fault, that he was merely a pawn in Lucifer and Mephostophilis game, which tells me that the blame for Faustus' downfall can be attributed to him as well. I think that lack of clarity means that there is no simple answer, that there are too many factors, from Faustus to Wagner to Lucifer himself.
I believe that in order to properly summarise the downfall and plight of Faustus, more than a mere eight lines are required. The character of Faustus is far too complex to be captured in a few short lines. However, the Chorus succeeds in capturing the moral message of the play, that even a scholar such as Faustus can fall into depravity and lewdness, that a persons own pride can lead to inexcusable actions, given the wrong advice. After all who can say that they are safe from the temptations of evil?
