Act 2 Scene 1 Flashcards
Act 2 scene 1
-this scene opens with a soliloquy of f
-it will have been terrifying for an Elizabeth and audience
“ and canst thou not be sav’d?” - f
-he goes against the Christian religion and so
-According to protestantism he is now predestined to be damned
-It forces his lack of repentance throughout the rest of the play
“ despair in God and trust in beelzebub/ turn to god again” - F
-we can see how he feels conflicted
-He debates with himself about what to believe
- one second he trusts beelzebub and another he tends to God
-He gets close to repentance but his pleasure and appetite is insatiable” the god thou serv’st is thine own appetite”
-vacillating(wavering) between ideas
-subrvsion of “ trust in God”
“ to him, I’ll build an altar and a church” -F
This is what he will offer to the devil therefore he’s very blasphemous here
-He considers offering religious things to the devil
-Like a church
-Which would’ve been seen as very shocking by a contemporary audience
-By combining two beliefs here maybe there’s also shows how ambiguity and confliction around his beliefs in God or the devil
“ - sweet Faustus leave that execrable art “ - good angel
-The good angel tells him to stop participating in necromancy
-The angels are all allegorical characters who symbolise inner conflict
- Thus they indicate ambiguity in fs mind and suggest a morality play
-representing the every man figure of straining from the right path
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“No Faustus think of honour and of wealth” bad angel
-The angel reminds Faustus of the wealth it would bring to him to encourage him to continue his packed
-This shows his covetousness and greed that drives him
-As a result, he is persuaded by the prospective wealth
Saying ‘of wealth “ therefore there is doubt then we see resolve
-The evil angel speaks last to have the most influence
“ Veni veni (come) mephisphilies “ - f
-highly blasphemous as he turns freezes from the Bible into phrases about the devil
-This is a blasphemous parody of “Veni Veni Emmanuel”
-turning Emmanuel into Mephistopheles
-Also shows conflict as well as blasphemy
-As he combines religion and the devil almost like he’s on the fence
-in the middle ground
“ write a deed of gift with thine own blood” - m
-tell him to sign the pact
-Manipulating him and urging him on
-It is legally binding
“ and then thou be as great as Lucifer” - M
-He promises F that he will be as good as Lucifer if he sells his soul
-This is flattering to him so this shows again the manipulation
-He gives false promises showing how he manipulates and deceive him
-He will never be as great
“ what power can hurt me” - F
-ignores that Lucifer and God can still hurt him
-He thinks he’s infallible
“ my blood congeal and I can write no more” - F
-it may be God concealing the blood to tell him not to sign the pact
- This is like God‘s warning, but nevertheless he still continues
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“Ill fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight” - m
-Again m is manipulative
-Fire connotes hell
-This can link to the Calvinistic views
-And rather why f does not repent
-Like Calvinism would suggest it is mephastiphilis’ persistence that makes him dumb himself and not Calvinism
-This is because God does try to save him so we can’t be destined to be damned
-A power shift is seen whereby now m has more power than F as he instructs what he does
-Therefore F’s vulnerability can be outlined as he becomes in a small position of power than M
“ homo fuge. Whither should i fly?… homo fuge! Yet shall not Faustus fly” - F
-arguably it is God who writes this on his arm to give him another warning and tells him to fly to heaven
-But f ignores this and it’s foolish
-Most likely because of M’s manipulation and power
“Consummatum est: this bill has ended” - f
- he uses the same words as Christ
-He uses Christ words that he’s completely serving the devil
-Showing how far he is straight
“ I’ll fetch him somewhat to delight his minds” - m
-He plans to fetch something to distract F showing his manipulation
-This will help resolve his doubt about hell
- For example he later says “ I swear by hell and Lucifer’ showing his doubt is resolved
“ what means this show? “ - f
“Nothing Faustus but to delight thy mind” -
“May I raise such spirits when i please” - f
-The question and answer session also occurs in scene five just like in scene three
- Which parodies catechisms
“ i think hells a fable” - f
-he doubts his belief in hell again”
“ trifles and mere old wives tales”
-he thinks that having life after death is a tale
- Therefore he is conflicted again and shows him on modern secular view
“ I am wanton and lavscious and cannot live without a wife”
-he asks M for a wife showing his sexual desire
“ marriage is but a ceremonial toy” - m
- he refuses to give F a wife as marriage is religious
- Instead he gives him a devil dress like a woman with fireworks
- This act as another attempt to distract him away from religion
- Straight away he doesn’t really get what he’s asking for
- He’s not getting what he thought he would
“ here in this book” m
“ thou art deceived” - f
-all the power is given to F are in one book
-F turns the pages of this book as they’re looking for more and so the audience can anticipate what is coming
-therefore it is almost comic as he has been set up he is foolish
