What do we learn about faustus background

The chorus speaks in very formal, rhetorical language and explains that the subject of this play will not be that which is usually depicted in dramas. Instead of a subject dealing with love or war, the play will present the history of a scholar. The purpose of this explanation is that, traditionally, tragedy had dealt with such grand subjects as the history of kings, great wars, or powerful love affairs. Consequently, Marlowe is preparing the audience for a departure in subject matter.

Most frequently, tragedy is concerned with the downfall of kings, and Marlowe's tragedy does not fit into this formula since this drama deals with the downfall of a man of common birth. The Icarus image is used in the opening passage to characterize the fall of Faustus. Icarus was a figure in classical mythology who because of his pride had soared too high in the sky, had melted his wax wings, and subsequently had fallen to his death.

This classical image of the fall of Icarus reinforces the Christian images of the fall of Lucifer brought out in Scene 3. Both images set the scene for the fall of Dr. Faustus during the course of the drama. Another image used by the chorus to describe the situation of Faustus is that of glutting an appetite by overindulgence. Indeed, what the play explores — its principal theme — is the conflict between the confidence and ambition its protagonist embodies, and the Christian faith, which remained a powerful cultural force when Marlowe was writing and required humility and submission to God's will.

The play's two opening speeches set up an opposition between the Prologue's view of boundless ambition as sinful presumption and Faustus's implicit claim that the Christian universe places unjust restrictions on human potential. Which side in this conflict do you think the play encourages us to take? We saw earlier that the Prologue seeks to discredit Faustus's interest in necromancy by portraying it in terms of an intemperate appetite.

Is there more evidence in the opening scene to support its claim? Have another look at Faustus's speech on page 4, lines 80—, in which he imagines the power that magic will bring him. What is it he wants to achieve with this power? What kinds of motives or desires do you think he expresses in these lines? Right away, then, he echoes the language of the Prologue and so identifies his own longing for godlike power with a gluttonous craving.

Faustus's motives in this speech seem to be mixed, neither all good nor all bad, rather like the Chorus's initial portrait of him. In this line he is voicing antipathy to an Elizabethan hate-figure. Doctor Faustus was written during a protracted period of military conflict with Catholic Spain. The Prince of Parma was the Spanish governor of the Netherlands, and in the s he was closely involved both in Spain's plans to invade England and in the suppression of a Protestant rebellion in the Netherlands which England supported.

This is a good example of the way in which reading literary texts with their historical context in mind can help to shed light on their meaning. The mention of the Prince of Parma in this speech strongly suggests that Marlowe was, at least to some extent, seeking to arouse audience support for Faustus. Making the decision to study can be a big step, which is why you'll want a trusted University. Take a look at all Open University courses. If you are new to University-level study, we offer two introductory routes to our qualifications.

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Every year, thousands of students decide to study with The Open University. Request an Open University prospectus Later, the actual uses to which he puts his magical powers are disappointing and tawdry.

SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Character List Faustus Mephastophilis. Themes Motifs Symbols. Mini Essays Suggested Essay Topics. Summary Scene 1. Summary: Scene 1 These metaphysics of magicians, And necromantic books are heavenly! See Important Quotations Explained In a long soliloquy, Faustus reflects on the most rewarding type of scholarship.

Previous section Prologue Next section Scenes 2—4. Test your knowledge Take the Scene 1 Quick Quiz. Popular pages: Doctor Faustus. Take a Study Break.