Doctor Faustus

Definition

Doctor Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe that tells the story of a scholar who makes a pact with the devil, trading his soul for knowledge and power. This tragic figure embodies the Renaissance spirit of inquiry and ambition but ultimately faces dire consequences for his hubris and desire for forbidden knowledge, connecting to the broader themes of morality and human limitation during this transformative period in theater.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Doctor Faustus was first performed in 1592 and is considered one of the earliest English tragedies.
2. The character of Faustus is often seen as a representation of the Renaissance man, who seeks knowledge beyond traditional limits.
3. The play explores themes of ambition, desire, and the conflict between medieval values and emerging Renaissance ideals.
4. Marlowe's use of blank verse in Doctor Faustus was innovative and influential, setting a precedent for later playwrights like Shakespeare.
5. The ending of Doctor Faustus serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of overreaching ambition and the dangers of forsaking moral boundaries.

Review Questions

• How does Doctor Faustus reflect the characteristics of a typical Renaissance tragedy?
  • Doctor Faustus embodies key features of Renaissance tragedy through its protagonist's ambition and quest for knowledge, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The play highlights the Renaissance ideals of individualism and the pursuit of enlightenment, but it also serves as a warning against excessive pride and defiance of moral limits. Faustus' internal struggle and ultimate despair align with the tragic conventions of flawed heroes facing dire consequences.
• Analyze how Marlowe's use of allegory in Doctor Faustus enhances its thematic depth.
  • Marlowe employs allegory throughout Doctor Faustus to enrich its themes of ambition, morality, and the human condition. The pact with Mephistopheles symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil, while Faustus' choices serve as a reflection on human desires and limitations. This allegorical framework allows audiences to engage with complex philosophical questions about free will, redemption, and the costs associated with unrestrained ambition.
• Evaluate the impact of Doctor Faustus on subsequent English drama and its role in shaping theatrical traditions.
  • Doctor Faustus significantly influenced English drama by introducing complex characters who grapple with moral dilemmas and human flaws. Marlowe's innovative use of blank verse set a new standard for dramatic poetry that would be further developed by playwrights like Shakespeare. The exploration of themes such as ambition and the consequences of knowledge laid the groundwork for later tragedies, reinforcing the importance of character-driven narratives in shaping theatrical traditions.

Related terms

Marlowe's Tragedy: A type of play written by Christopher Marlowe that often features protagonists with overreaching ambitions, leading to their downfall.

Renaissance Humanism: An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the value of human beings, individualism, and the study of classical texts.

Allegory: A narrative that uses symbolic figures and actions to express deeper moral or spiritual meanings, which is prominent in Doctor Faustus.