Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus Notes
Christopher Marlowe – Important Points
1. Christopher Marlowe was a famous Elizabethan dramatist and poet.
,2. His famous tragedy is Doctor Faustus.
3. Doctor Faustus is a tragedy about a scholar who sells his soul to the devil for knowledge and power.
4. His important works include:
Tamburlaine
Edward II
Hero and Leander
The Jew of Malta
Doctor Faustus
The Massacre at Paris
Tragedy of Dido
5. Marlowe’s heroes are not kings or princes, but powerful individuals from humble backgrounds.
6. In Tamburlaine, the hero is a shepherd who becomes a great conqueror.
7. In Doctor Faustus, the hero is a poor scholar who seeks unlimited knowledge and power.
8. Ben Jonson called Marlowe’s powerful poetic style “Marlowe’s Mighty Line.”
9. Marlowe widely used blank verse in his plays, especially in Doctor Faustus.
10. Because of his great contribution to drama, Marlowe is called the “Morning Star of Elizabethan Drama.”
11. Gothe said Dr. faustus " how greatly it is all planned".
12. Lust for Knowledge.
13 . Faustus gives up the learning of logic, law, medicine and theology and study of black magic to seek power, honour and omnipotence.
14. Beauty of Helen in Faustus.
"Fairer than the vaning air
Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars".
15. Faustus born 1488.
16. He died 1545
17. Dr. Faustus is the Doctor of Divinity and Medicine
18. He was born in Germany Rhodes.
19. Faustus says
" This night I'll conjure , though I die therefore"
20. Valdes and Cornelius Friend of Faustus.
21. Philosophy is odious and obscure
Both law and psychic are for petty wits
Divinity is the basest of the three
( Philosophy is hateful, law and medicine less intelligent people study, theology worst than three)
22. Tis magic , magic that hath ravished me
Then gentle friends, aid me in this attempt.
Dr. Faustus says.
23. Oracle Apollo, Delphi located.
24. Valdes tells faustus to read Bacon, Albertus, Bible, psalms in a lonely grove.
25. Magic is connected with Astrology and Chemistry
26. The scholars ask Wagner:
“How are you? Where is your master (Faustus)?”
Wagner replies “God in heaven knows.”
27. Faustus enters a grove at night, a time he considers suitable for his magic spells.
28. He describes the setting and the specific details of the magic circle he has drawn, which includes:
# The name of God written in reverse order to form new words.
#Shortened names of saints.
#Figures of heavenly bodies and wandering planets.
29. He invoke spirits and deities from hell,
God of Acheron,
spirits of Fire,
Air, and Water,
Belzebub,
the Prince of the East,
Monarch of the Burning Hell, and Demogorgan.
30. When Mephistophilis enters, Faustus commands him to change his "ugly appearance" to something more suitable for an attendant.
31. Mephistophilis appears in the "guise of an old Friar" because Faustus believes a "divine shape befits best an evil spirit."
32.Faustus declares he has already done this and has "full faith that there is no one greater than Belzebub.
33. Mephistophilis " thou hast power in the image of the brother Mephistophilis"
34.Hubris
This refers to the excessive pride and dangerous overconfidence shown by Faustus as he prepares to sell his soul for power and knowledge.
35. "Prince of Evil Spirits" -
Lucifer
46. According to Mephistophilis, why was Lucifer thrown out of heaven?
Pride (or Insolence)
47. How many years of service does Faustus demand in exchange for his soul?
Twenty-four
48. At what time of day does Faustus tell Mephistophilis to return with an answer?
Midnight
49. What is the specific place where Faustus tells Mephistophilis to meet him?
Library (Visible in the text: "...meet me in my library...")
50. What does Faustus offer to Lucifer in exchange for Mephistophilis's service?
Soul
51. Which character does Faustus compare to the number of stars in the sky in his soliloquy?
Mephistophilis "...as many souls as there are
stars... would give them all in exchange for Mephistophilis."
52.Act 1, Scene III Summary
Faustus's monologue after he has decided to pursue magic and power.
Ambition: Faustus expresses his desire to become the "great ruler of the world" with the assistance of magic.
Global Domination: He plans to fly across the world, connect Africa and Spain, and rule both, receiving tributes.
Subordination of Rulers: He aims to make the Holy Roman Emperor and other German rulers subordinate to him.
53 Act 1, Scene IV Summary
This scene introduces the characters Wagner (Faustus's servant) and a Clown (a poor, ragged fellow).
Wagner's Offer: Wagner attempts to hire the starving Clown, who responds with puns and jokes about his poverty and torn clothes.
The Mutton Joke: Wagner suggests the Clown would sell his soul for raw goat's meat. The Clown humorously retorts that he would only sell his soul for "roasted mutton served with sauce".
54. Mephistophilis insists that Faustus must "execute the deed" and write a "formal deed of gift" in his own blood.
55. Faustus asks why Lucifer wants his soul. Mephistophilis says
"Those who are fallen are greatly comforted in the midst of their grief when they get new companions."
56. This reflects the famous Latin proverb associated with the play: Solamen miseris
57 Mephistophilis lures Faustus with promises of:
Knowledge and Wealth: "I shall get you things which you may not even think of demanding from me."
58. Equality with Lucifer: He claims Faustus will be "as powerful as Lucifer himself."
59. How many "articles" (conditions) are in the agreement?
Five
60. What is the Latin word for "Fly" that appears on his arm?
Fuge
61. What does Mephistophilis use to clear the congealed blood?
Fire
62. Final judgement day – Doomsday
63 the fairest maid in the Germany. Faustus asks for wife.
64. For Mephistophilis marriage is a ceremonial toy ( marriage is idle playing for children)
65. Faustus asks for books learn about plants, herbs,trees etc.
66. As Faustus wavers and cries, "Ah, Christ, my Saviour, / Seek to save distressed Faustus' soul!", he is at his closest point to genuine repentance.
A. To prevent him from turning back to God, Lucifer enters the scene along with Belzebub and Mephistophili.
B. Lucifer immediately stops Faustus' appeals, stating that "Christ cannot save thy soul, for he is just" and reminds him of the legalistic bond he signed in blood.
67. Who is Lucifer's fellow ruler of hell? Belzebub
68. What does Faustus promise to burn?
Books
69. How many Deadly Sins appear?
Pride - place foul smelling. Ovid fly. Hate ancestry
Covetousness - child of rustic, ill bread, surly parent, I keep gold, I love gold.
Wrath - no parents, came out of a lion's mouth. Birth place hell.
Envy - born of low parents. Father sweeper and mother fisher woman. Cannot read book. So burnt .
Gluttony - parents dead. Grandfather was a cooked leg of pigs meat.
Sloth - born on a sunny bank
Lechery.
Act 3
70. Faustus travels to know the secrets of the stars.
71. Faustus traveled to the top of Mount Olympus.
72. He was carried in a chariot drawn by dragons.
73. He was back home again in eight days.
74 His purpose was to study the cosmos.
75. He attended the Feast of St. Peter's Day on 29th June.
76. He visited the tomb of the celebrated poet Virgil.
77. Who built the mile-long tunnel by magic?
Answer: Faust
78. What river flows through Rome?
Answer: Tiber
79. What is the strong fortress on one of the bridges called?
Answer: Ponte Angelo
80. Who brought gates and tapering towers from Africa?
Answer: Julius Caesar
81. What is the kingdom of the Devil called?
Answer: Hell
82. Which ritual are the friars performing? Excommunication
83. What three items are used to curse Faustus?
Bell, Book, Candle
84. Whose bald head was struck by Faustus? Friar Sandelo
85. Who is the main victim of the food and wine theft?
The Pope
86. What type of song did the friars enter to sing?
Funeral
87. What did Faustus and Mephistophilis throw at the friars?
Fireworks
88. According to Faustus, what animal does the second monk sound like?
Calf
89 . What are Robin and Ralph using to perform magic?
Answer: Book
90. What item do Robin and Ralph steal from the Vintner?
Answer: Pot (or goblet)
91Act 4, Scene 2 of Doctor Faustus,
the protagonist demonstrates trivial magic for the German Emperor, including producing grapes in winter.
He punishes the mocking courtier Benvolio by producing horns on his head, showing a decline from lofty ambitions to petty tricks.
The scene emphasizes Faustus's wasted, diminished powers.
92. Mephistophilis asks 6 pence from Robin for conjuring him using magical spell.
93. Robin change him to monkey and ralph to dog.
94. Alexander and his queen appear. Knight disturbs. Faustus gets angry and give a pair of horn to the knight.
95. Horse dealer arrives . Purchase a horse from faustus 40 dollars. Faustus warns him not to take in water. Water he takes the horse and the horse turns hay.
96. Last act Act V soliloquy of Dr. Faustus.
Helen of Troy appears. Greece splendor. Scholars asks faustus to see Helen.
97. Trojan war happened for Helen of Troy. 10 yrs war. Paris kidnapped helen.
98. Old man speaks to Faustus. He asks him to confess.
