Doctor Faustus - Act 3, Scene 1

Question 1

“Whose summum bonum is in belly cheer”

Answer 1

• “Greatest good”
• Mocking of Catholicism : motif of indulgence - seen as corrupt. Ironic as corrupt criticises the corrupt emphasising the extreme nature of Catholic corruption. Audience may therefore favour Faustus

Question 2

“Nay, Faustus, stay.”

Answer 2

• Imperative + negator acts to control Faustus : defies his wishes
• Turning point of quotation - manipulative character

Question 3

“Bell, book, and candle, candle, book, and bell, Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell”

Answer 3

• Polysyndetic listing emphasises Nursery rhyme : mocking of the Catholic Church
• Highlights excommunication

CONTEXT : Elizabeth I was excommunicated by the Catholic Church in 1570