1:3 Faustus Quotes' Analysis

Question 1

thou art too ugly to attend on me

Answer 1

Faustus is superficial and foolish, does not understand how serious his plight is

Question 2

return an old Franciscan friar

Answer 2

anti-Catholic sentiment, corruption

Question 3

there’s virtue in my heavenly words

Answer 3

Faustus enjoys being blasphemous, arrogant

Question 4

how pliant is this Mephistopheles

Answer 4

arrogant in assuming a devil would be so subservient, without an ulterior motive

Question 5

we fly in hope to get his glorious soul

Answer 5

Mephistopheles is surprisingly honest in his intentions, emphasises Faustus’ foolishness

Question 6

he confounds hell in Elysium

Answer 6

Faustus cannot see the distinction between hell and heaven; fails to appreciate the consequences of his actions

Question 7

by aspiring pride and insolence

Answer 7

similar to Faustus’ flaws, likened Lucifer

Question 8

leave these frivolous demands which strike a terror to my fainting soul

Answer 8

Mephistopheles as honest and warning Faustus to stop his pursuit

Question 9

learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude

Answer 9

Mephistopheles is not even a man so Faustus’ advice is flawed, he is ignorant

Question 10

I am a servant to Great Lucifer

Answer 10

suggestion of Mephistopheles’ humility that contrasts Faustus’ arrogance

Question 11

spare him four-and-twenty years letting him live in all voluptuousness

Answer 11

not a good deal, not been thought through carefully, implications it will only gratify the senses so is not intellectual

Question 12

go and return, meet me, resolve me

Answer 12

imperatives that show how quickly Faustus has been seduced by the power he is yet to obtain

Question 13

had I as many souls as there be stars, I’d give them all for Mephistopheles

Answer 13

desperation, Faustus’ desire to quantify everything, even souls, shows his superficiality + his arrogance because one cannot quantify something that God/ religion places such importance on