Act Four:
Chorus
- The chorus reports to the audience of how Faustus is now a famous man, and is invited to court by Charles the 5th and the Emporor- 'Now is his fame spread forth in every land. Amongst the rest the Emperor is one, Carolus the Fifth, at who palace now Faustus is feasted'.
- Faustus is asked many questions on his return home, concerning his travels 'through the world and air'. And he is able to use his knowledge to answer their questions on astrology. It appears that Faustus is admired greatly by his friends- maybe this pact has, in fact, benefitted him?
Scene One:
- Even the emporor requests to see the 'black art' that Faustus is rumoured to be able to do. He seems amazed by what Faustus can do, and asked him to show 'proof of thy skill'. Shows just how famous Faustus has become, as even important figures such as the Emporor are keen to witness what he can acheive.
- Faustus agrees to conjure historical figures (Alexander the great and his mistress). But the Emporor is immediately sceptical- checks to see whether there is a mole on her neck. Takes away the dramatic element?
- The annoying knight is punished by Faustus- a pair of horns grow from his head.
- Emporor promises to reward Faustus for showing his skills. Is there much point- even Faustus admits his is nearing the end of his life. 'Short'ning my days and thread of vital life'.
- Horse dealer enters ('Horse-Courser'). The reputation of dishonesty in Horse Dealers would have made the audience take an instant dislike to this character- this would make it amusing for them when Mephistopheles makes the joke against him (about his apparent 'responsibilties' where in fact, he does not have a family).
- Faustus begins to 'despair'. Regretting his actions?
- The horse-courser attempts to wake Faustus, but in doing so, pulls of his leg. It is both comical and grotesque, and would have amused the audience greatly! Especially when seeing the horse-courser tricked into paying more money!
Scene Two:
- Faustus produces grapes for the duke and duchess- is it all worth selling your soul to the devil? Maybe this links to Faustus having wasted his 24 years?
- Although he is promised a reward again, doesn't seem worth it.
Act Five:
Scene One:
- Faustus representing the idea of him being an inverted christ? How he is at his last supper? The disciples being portrayed by the scholars (who call him 'Master').
- Faustus appears to be regretting his actions? 'I do repent, and yet I do despair'. Faustus is struggling with what to do- although he still does not want to repent. Does not take the chance to save his soul.
- Suicide? God will not save him- ultimate sin to reject the gift of life. Does this explain the absence of God through the play? Or is it the idea of Calvinism- that some people are predestined to go to hell?
Scene Two:
- Has God rejected Faustus? Or has Faustus rejected God? (For he is given the chance to repent, but doesn't.)
- Stark contrast to Faustus' previous attitude towards hell- 'damned both body and soul'. He now seems to believe in hell, is understanding the seriousness of his decision 24 years ago. 'Faustus' offence can ne'er be pardoned'.
- The scholars show similar devotion to faustus as the disciples show towards Jesus. 'we will pray that God may have mercy upon thee'.
- Faustus' soliloquy. Reflects the image of christ upon the cross? 'My God, my God'.
- Would have been shocking for the audience. Very dramatic scene, where Faustus is in torment. 'Impose some end to my incessant pain'.
- Morality play? He ends up going to hell, so the story has an end to it that fits with the structure of a morality play (i.e. evil/good angels represent sides to a human's personality?)
Epilogue:
- 'burned is Apollo's laurel bough'. Reference to greek tragedy?
- 'Regard his hellish fall'. Moral to the story, something to be learnt.
- Ends like the beginning, nothing has been accomplished over his 24 years.
Act One:
- Opens with Chorus (more similar to Greek Tragedies than Gothic).
- Sets up the themes i.e. Icarus- the ambition related to this is also an element of the Gothic.
- References to necromancy and religion- Anti Catholicism? Atheist Views?
- Juxtaposition between dark scenes and comic scenes.
- Mephistopheles as a Friar- Jibe at Catholicism.
Act Two:
- Heaven/Hell. Shows how people view hell. Mephistopheles thinks earth is hell.
- Angels leave- conscience gone too?
- 7 deadly sins.
- Comic Scene interrupts the tense scene.
Act Three:
- Chorus- summarises/covers alot of information.
- Scenes fo quite quickly- reflects how fast the 24 years are passing? How Faustus wastes his years?
- Pope (holiness). Mephistopheles (Evil). Mockery of religion?
Act Four:
- Morality plays (Faustus doesn't gain anything from selling his soul to the devil).
- Comedy scenes show Marlowe's atheism.
- Faustus beginning to show realisaton that his has made a mistake?
Act Five:
- Last Supper (Faustus with his disciples (scholars)). Acts like a 'Jesus'. Marlowe's atheism- happy to mock religion.
- Faustus' magic- christ's miracles.
- Calvinism (Some people are predestined to go to hell). Explains absence of God?
- Suicide- ultimate sin? Rejecting God's gift of life, so God won't save him from his pact?
- Suicide because he rejects each chance to repent - doesn't try to help himself.
- 'Despair'
- Seven Deadly Sins:
- Lust- Helen of Troy
- Greed- Knowledge etc.
- Gluttony- 'glutted more with learning's golden gifts'
- Pride- 'self-conceit'
- Sloth- Doesn't actually acheive anything in the twenty four years
- Envy- Envious of God's power?
- Wrath- Towards the old man.
Prologue:
- We learn that Faustus is from a humble background- 'base of stock'.
- Faustus went to University in Wittenberg (Germany). Studied theology (divinity) and makes very good progress in the subject. Awarded a doctorate- 'graced with doctor's name'.
- Although his is veyr intelligent, he seems arrogant. 'cunning of a self-conceit'.
- A reference to the myth of Icarus could be a sign of Faustus' downfall later in the play? 'waxen wings... melting heavens conspired his overthrow'.
- Faustus is also shown to be indulging in black magic (necromancy) 'sufeits upon curséd necromancy...nothing so sweet as magic is to him'. There are also signs to show that Faustus regards magic as more important that his hopes of joy in heaven- 'he prefers before his chiefest bliss'.
Act One, Scene One:
- In Faustus' soliloquy, we see an arrogant side to his character. 'thou hast attained the end'. He believes he has learnt and studied all that he needs. He feels it is now time to pursue a 'greater subject'.
- A similarity between Faustus and Victor Frankenstein- 'Woulds thous make a man to live eternally? Or, being dead, raise them to life again?' Both characters appear to have the same aspirations. Meddling with nature?
- Such as in Morality Plays, the good and evil angels could be personifications of human traits. Representing two sides to Faustus?
- Magic introduced. Faustus wants to dabble in the dark arts... 'necromancy'. He seems to think that magic is the only way he can better himself? 'A sounds magician is seen as a mighty god'.
- Theme of seven deadly sins- 'glutted with conceit of this'.
Scene Two:
- Scholars represent Faustus' education?
- They become worried for Faustus' soul when they learn of him dining with Valdes and Cornelius. Shows how silly Faustus is- even he can't tell that what he is doing is wrong.
- Comic scene.
Scene Three:
- Faustus conjures the Devil. Black magic.
- Why does Faustus not want Mephistopheles to be there as he is? 'Thou art too ugly to attend on me'. Is he finding excuses already to dismiss him? Regret? Or simply being picky?
- Is Faustus arrogant- it appears Mephistopheles is trying to dissuade him from this path, yet Faustus does not seem to be hearing the warnings. 'Why, this is hell... O Faustus leave these frivolous demands'.
Scene Four:
- Comic scene with Robin, Wagner.
- Could be there simply to provide light relief to a dramatic act?
- Is this scene here to reflect the foolishness of Faustus?
Act Two, Scene One:
- Faustus talks in third person alot. Is he attempting to distance himself from body and soul? Does this mean Faustus is resigned to his fate?
- However, the use of 'Beezlebub' is not as powerful as the use of 'Lucifer', which could suggest that Faustus is not entirely committed.
- 'lukewarm blood of newborn babes'. Joking/ mocking the idea. Atheism.
- 'fruits of lunacy'- reference to Adam and Eve?
- Biblical references i.e. 'glad tidings'.
- Faustus' blood congeals. His own body is resisting? Or is Faustus seeking excuses too easily- does he actually want to go ahead with it?
- 'Consummatum est'. Resigned to his fate.
- Promises to Mephistopheles like the 10 commandments- mokcing religion?
- Faustus is naive? Doesn't believe there will be consequences- 'I think hell's a fable'. Despite Mephistopheles being proof, Faustus still believes they are 'trifles ad old wives' tales'.
Scene Two:
- Cuts into the dramatic scene. Gives the impression the meeting between Faustus and Mephistopheles goes on alot longer.
- Crude language- Shocks and amuses audience.
Scene Three:
- Faustus is unable to repent- thinks about the pleasures resulting from his new powers to console him. But seems as thoguht he does want to repent- doubting his decision?
- Lucifer arrives, Faustus vows never to look to heaven of pray to God. Shocking to Audience.
- Introduction of the seven deadly sins. Faustus seems to not take it seriously- 'mistress minx'.
- 'Farewell great Lucifer'. 'mighty Lucifer'. Faustus in awe?
Act Three
Chorus:
- Wagner speaks chorus lines. Tells us of Faustus's plans to take part in the pope's feast for St Peter's day. Ironic? Because Faustus can't get into heaven, and Peter is the one at the gates.
Scene One:
- Use the pope's 'privy chamber'.
- Mephistopheles confirms the plans to mischeivously disrupt the celebration in the Vatican.
- Faustus is invisible. Snatches food and wine. Comical scene. Is Faustus trying to distract himself from his own fate?
- Anti-Catholic propaganda? Pope seen as being gluttinous (feasting).
- Friars attempt to perform exorcism.
Scene Two:
- Robin has stolen a goblet from a tavern. Tries to outwit Vintnet by using sleight of hand nad conjuring.
- When conjuring, tries to make it sound convincing in Latin (in fact, the 'latin' is gibberish).
- However, he suceeds in raising Mephistopheles, but he is annoyed at being summoned by them. He turns them into a dog and an ape. This therefore goes to show that he was not annoyed at Faustus- his soul is worth the trouble?
