Act 1 Scene 3 Flashcards
How is Faustus presented in ‘I charge thee to return and change thy shape./ Thou art too ugly to attend on me’?
He is foolish as he ignores Mephistopheles grotesque appearance as a reflection of inner evil - ignores the warnings and underestimates the power of the devil
What can be inferred about ‘old Franciscan friar’?
It represents the anti-catholic attitudes of Protestant England as friars were renowned for being corrupt.
How is Faustus presented in ‘I see there’s virtue in my heavenly words’ and ‘How pliant is this Mephistopheles’?
Faustus believes that Mephistopheles is simply answering to Faustus’ bidding rather than choosing to be ‘pliant’ for his own machiavellian ends - he is hubristic and naive as underestimates the power of a devil
What can be inferred about ‘I charge thee to wait upon me whilst I live/ To do whatever Faustus shall command’?
The use of imperatives/commanding tone presents Faustus as foolishing ordering a devil who is much more powerful than him.
How is Mephistopheles presented in ‘I am a servant to great Lucifer’?
He is honest about his subservience Lucifer / another power - acts as a stark contrast to Faustus’ hubris
What is Mephistopheles honest about in ‘We fly in hope to get his glorious soul’ ?
Mephistopheles is honest about wanting Faustus’ soul, almost to feed on. Still despite being warned, Faustus still foolishly ignores him.
What can be commented on about the structure in this scene?
Mephistopheles patiently answers Faustus’ list of questions honestly so Mephistopheles is initially presented as 1. honest - not conforming to stereotype of tempter 2. manipulative/trickster as he is building Faustus’ trust
How is Faustus presented in ‘This word ‘damnation’ terrifies not him./For he confounds hell in Elysium’?
Faustus’s desire for knowledge is blinding him as he is confusing a classical pagan heaven with hell. This presents him as foolish as he is a scholar in theology showing he doesn’t care about the repercussions of his actions.
What device is used in ‘fell with Lucifer… our God with Lucifer… damned with Lucifer’?
Epiphora emphasises Lucifer’s supreme power - he is final
How is Mephistopheles presented in ‘In being deprived of everlasting bliss? / O Faustus, leave these frivolous demands’ ?
Mephistopheles honestly and patiently answers Faustus’ numerous questions before needing to stop due to emotional and physical anguish
What context can be linked to this scene?
The Anti-Catholic Sentiment is reflective of England at the time as Catholics were seen as the enemy after the Spanish Armada. The practising of ‘mass’ was outlawed in Jacobean England. Furthermore, Faustus’ first incantation to summon a devil was in Latin, perhaps suggestive there is something devilish about Catholicism.
What device is used in ‘Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude’?
Irony (for the sake of humour) - talking about man’s strength in relation to the supernatural
What theme is introduced in ‘four-and-twenty years… in all voluptuousness’ ?
The theme of time as there are 24 hours in a day, creates dramatic suspense or perhaps his life expectancy as his damnation is inevitable.
How is Faustus presented in ‘Had I as many souls as there be stars,/ I’d give them all for Mephistopheles’ ?
As he is a scholar of divinity, he is presented as hubristic and foolish.
