A Treatise on Marlowe's Use of the BODY-SOUL dichotomy/contrast.
DR. FAUSTUS - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE A Treatise on Marlowe's Use of the BODY-SOUL dichotomy/contrast The underlying theme of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus is a contrast of opposites. This theme covers a broad range of other elements and sub-themes in the play, such as: * Good vs. Evil * Good Angel vs. Evil Angel * The Humorous vs. The Grotesque * The Master vs. The Servant (and vice-versa) * Physical vs. Spiritual (Body vs. Soul) The use of contrasting images and/or ideas has always been an effective device used in literature, albeit a heavily used one. In Dr. Faustus, Marlowe uses a dichotomy separating the 'bodily' elements from the 'spiritual' ones. It is interesting to note, at this point, that out of thirty-four 'named' characters in the cast, sixteen of them happen to be spiritual entities of some sort, excluding miscellaneous 'devils' and the Doctor himself. That is just slightly over half of the whole cast. It is highly improbable that this occurrence is only coincidental, and it is apparent that this 'class-division' of characters was intentional on Marlowe's part. THE BODY-SOUL DICHOTOMY In the first scene we are greeted with the sight of Faustus at his study, and we are introduced, through Marlowe's mighty line, into the recesses of Faustus' apparently perspicacious mind. He tells the audience of his traversing through the various professions that he has studied,
How Successfully Does Marlowe portrayal of Faustus reflect the attitudes and beliefs of Elizabethan times?
Christopher Heal Ms Banfield English Literature Yr 13 How Successfully Does Marlowe portrayal of Faustus reflect the attitudes and beliefs of Elizabethan times? Christopher Marlowe lived in a time of great change for England and the whole of Europe. New developments in the field of science were overturning ancient ideas about astronomy and physics and the discovery of the Americas had transformed the European views of the world. Christian and pagan beliefs interacted with each other in rich and often illogical ways, and signs of that complicated interaction are present in many of Marlowe's works. We see the idea's of Renaissance Europe through Dr Faustus in Dr Faustus. Doctor Faustus is a play of deep questions concerning morality, religion, and man's relationship to both. Sorcery and magic were part of widespread belief systems throughout Europe that predated Christianity. These early beliefs about magic were present in medicine. Women in particular used a mix of magic and herbal medicine to treat common illnesses. But as Christianity spread and either absorbed or rejected other belief systems, practitioners of magic came to be viewed as evil. These themes are presented in Doctor Faustus especially the idea of religion. Many religious themes base don Elizabethan views are presented in the play. Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, arguably the one that leads to
Analysis of Faustus Soliloquy.
Analysis of Faustus Soliloquy This essay will identify, explore and outline the purpose of Faustus soliloquy. It will illustrate the effect it has and what kind of impression the audience obtains from his speech The Oxford English Dictionary defines soliloquy as a speech in which a person speaks his or her thoughts aloud without addressing anyone. From the opening soliloquy, the reader is given a detailed and great insight into how Faustus mind works, how he uses his experience and his intellect to draw up conclusions on 'a divine'. This is an effective approach as we initially get the impression that he thinks himself as being superior. The opening two lines of his soliloquy indicate that he is often quick at making decisions 'wilt profess', again this re-emphasises the idea that he believes that he is highly advanced in knowledge. I believe that using the word 'wilt' indicates that he has finalised his decision, and he is certain that he is going to take this path. However this is ironic, as we know that his knowledge contradicts himself as we soon discover that the decision made about selling his sole to the devil had a serious negative affect costing his life. We get the sense that he is not really independent but bases his theories on other philosophers. This provides the audience with the sense that Dr Faustus is uncertain. In lines 3-7, I believe that
What do scenes 1 and 3 tell us about Elizabethan beliefs?
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. 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
Analyse the ways in which Faustus thinks of using the magic powers he is seeking to acquire
Friday, 17 January Analyse the ways in which Faustus thinks of using the magic powers he is seeking to acquire Faustus is an exceedingly ambitious man, even in relation to what is considered ambitious by people in today's society. In the prologue, The Chorus sums up Faustus' background and early life, emphasizing his ordinary background and academic success. It seems that Faustus' intellect made him become proud and this fired up about his ambition. We can instantly observe that Faustus is an intellectual man, who has great ambition to gain the qualities from magic such as knowledge, wealth, power and fame. He cannot resist the temptation of carrying out magic, since he wants to be 'eternized for a wondrous cure'. However, we perceive that Faustus thinks about how to use his magic in different ways, as he wants 'a world of profit and delight, of power, of honour, of omnipotence'. This indicated his ability to do anything he requests, but we soon learn of his ideas using magic, show how selfish he is. Indeed, we can examine the way in which Dr Faustus seems to use magic for the chase for knowledge as he wants to acquire more intellect as he wants 'All things that move between the quiet poles/small be at my command'. This quotes exemplifies his attitude to wanting to be able to command everything between the north and South Pole in the world, he intends to have
It has been suggested that Marlowe's audience would have seen Dr Faustus as a 'simply morality play' consider this view of the play using scene 5 as your starting point.
It has been suggested that Marlowe's audience would have seen Dr Faustus as a 'simply morality play' consider this view of the play using scene 5 as your starting point. Dr Faustus is, without a doubt, among Marlowe's most celebrated works of literature. It is said to be a morality play, which would be an accurate analysis, as there are many moral questions and themes present. However, it cannot be said that it is a simple play, because what is thought to be simple by one person could be interpreted as very complex by someone of a higher calibre. It is necessary to explore all levels of the play to understand its true meanings and messages. If one is to analyse what Marlowe's audience thought of Dr Faustus, then one must establish who his audience was. The play was shown during the Elizabethan period, so Elizabethan people of all classes would have watched the play. It was popular entertainment at the time, and would have been regarded as an afternoon play. Many say that Marlowe wrote the play with the primary intention to make money, so it was in his interests to make it appealing to the rich minority, but also to the poorer majority, making it an efficient source of income. What is interesting is how he managed to do this, because at the time, upper class people would have been highly educated in the fine arts, but the lower class people would not quite understand the
Themes, Motifs & Symbols in Doctor Faustus.
Themes, Motifs & Symbols Themes Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Sin, Redemption, and Damnation Insofar as Doctor Faustus is a Christian play, it deals with the themes at the heart of Christianity's understanding of the world. First, there is the idea of sin, which Christianity defines as acts contrary to the will of God. In making a pact with Lucifer, Faustus commits what is in a sense the ultimate sin: not only does he disobey God, but he consciously and even eagerly renounces obedience to him, choosing instead to swear allegiance to the devil. In a Christian framework, however, even the worst deed can be forgiven through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, God's son, who, according to Christian belief, died on the cross for humankind's sins. Thus, however terrible Faustus's pact with Lucifer may be, the possibility of redemption is always open to him. All that he needs to do, theoretically, is ask God for forgiveness. The play offers countless moments in which Faustus considers doing just that, urged on by the good angel on his shoulder or by the old man in scene 12-both of whom can be seen either as emissaries of God, personifications of Faustus's conscience, or both. Each time, Faustus decides to remain loyal to hell rather than seek heaven. In the Christian framework, this turning away from God condemns him to
Absolute Power Simply Seems To Corrupt Faustus. Once He Can Do Everything, He No Longer Wants To Do Anything; Discuss.
Absolute Power Simply Seems To Corrupt Faustus. Once He Can Do Everything, He No Longer Wants To Do Anything; Discuss. Marlowe's representation of Doctor Faustus changes direction through the play. We follow the change in ambition and greed of a human being who seeks pleasure so much that he sells his soul to the devil for a number of years. Does the power that Faustus obtains corrupt him or is he merely dissatisfied with the power he has and is greedy for more. At the start of the play, Marlowe uses powerful language when referring to Faustus' search for knowledge. "O, What a world of profit and delight, of power, of honour, of omnipotence, is promis'd to the studious artisan". This is what Faustus wishes to obtain, the forbidden knowledge that he feels he can achieve, however it seems strange that Faustus should want to learn more and to be taught and able to understand this forbidden knowledge as he previously bids a farewell to thinking "Divinity, adieu!". Faustus is striving for a great power and his intentions are on a grand scale. "I'll have them read me strange philosophy and tell the secrets of all foreign kings; I'll have them wall all Germany with brass and make swift Rhine circle fair Wittenberg". This is what Faustus thinks he will have the ability to do, but later in his same speech we see signs of his arrogance and the way in which he is governed by greed
Explore the presentation of Faustus in the opening scenes.
Explore the presentation of Faustus in the opening scenes. Marlowe uses many techniques to introduce Faustus to the audience within the first few scenes and even from such an early stage in the play the complexity of his character is made apparent, creating a desire for the audience to want to further engage with Faustus in order to try and understand his personality and nature. Through the use of the prologue Marlowe gives a brief history of Faustus life highlighting his success at studying and his lack of content, which followed. Marlowe warns the audience that Faustus will become involved in 'devilish exercise' which is interesting as from the very beginning the audience are anticipating Faustus' fall, knowing that he is a highly skilled man. Through Marlowe presenting Faustus in such a detached way in the prologue, using just simple facts, suspense is created as the audience await the reasons behind such an educated man's decision to become involved in activities that would with certainty condemn him to hell. To the modern audience it is perhaps harder to relate to the great importance religion played in peoples' lives in Marlowe's day when the concept of hell was much a reality of eternity in a physical place, with various punishments of torture depending on the life the deceased had led. Marlowe further highlights Faustus' scholarly nature through his choice of
By considering what Faustus gains in exchange for his soul, explore the ways Marlowe presents 16th Century views of pleasure and power in Dr. Faustus.
Emma Bassett By considering what Faustus gains in exchange for his soul, explore the ways Marlowe presents 16th Century views of pleasure and power in Dr. Faustus. Dr Faustus is a 16th century morality play, which taught and played upon the Elizabethan views of the time. It explores the pleasure/power ethical divide by tempting Faustus with both "happiness" and "control" all for the sake of his mortal soul. This didactic play was written, first and foremost to get audience attendance and build popularity, and secondly to teach the common people, who would be the typical audience. Faustus believes that his gain in exchange for his soul is far more rewarding than anything God could give him, the devil promises knowledge, power and certainly pleasure. Before he even sells his soul, his flippant disregard for the joys of heaven are shown by his gluttonous feasting and lack of fear for his soul dying. Faustus does not realise what he is giving up, for a supposedly intelligent man, he only looks for material gain and power "From Venice shall they drag huge argosies" thus reflecting Faustus' want for treasure. We see Faustus' lack of intelligence as early as the first summoning of Mephastophilis "Full of obedience and humility" Faustus' obvious disrespect for the enormity of the situation is shown when Mephastophilis reminds him that he is "in danger to be damned", even he
