1. LIT 2001 Major English Writers 1
Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

2. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Renaissance Humanism
Emphasis on classical learning and life
Dignity of human beings (individualism)
Importance of the present life
Emphasis on science / knowledge / discovery (era of Galileo, Copernicus, Columbus)
Fewer religious restraints

3. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Passages
Prologue: Lines 11-28
Scene 1: Lines 1-63
What do we know of Faustus’ background?
Is Faustus damned because he sells his soul to Lucifer?
Why is Faustus attracted to necromancy?
What is the purpose of the comedy scenes?

4. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Passages
Scene 3: Lines
Does it take magic to “conjure” up Lucifer?
What does Faustus think of hell?
What is Mephastophilis’ idea of hell?
What is Faustus’ motivation?
What are some of Faustus’ “flaws”?

5. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Passages
Scene 5: Lines 1-22
What assumptions does Faustus make?
Why is Faustus’ despair important?
What is Faustus’ motivation?
How does Faustus use his powers? What does this tell us?

6. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Passages
Scene 12: Lines 26-87
Who is this old man? What role does he play?
How close is Faustus’ possible salvation?
Does Faustus repent in this passage?
How are the limits of Mephastophilis’ powers suggested?
What does Faustus want from Helen? What does Helen represent?
Why are Faustus’ reflections on the ancient Greek world important?

7. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
Passages
Scene 13: Lines
Why does God not help Faustus?
What vision of God does Faustus experience?
What warning does the chorus offer at the end of the play?
What might the audience be expected to learn from the play?