Doctor Faustus - Full Deck Flashcards
Drama Revision
1
Q
What convention of Greek tragedy does the play open with?
A
A Chorus
2
Q
The Chorus establishes Doctor Faustus as what type of figure?
A
An Everyman
3
Q
Through his studies, Faustus has gained status and respect and become a respected _________.
A
Scholar
4
Q
What technique is used in the following quotation: ‘Not [be found] marching in the fields of Trasimene…Nor sporting in the dalliance of love…Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds.’? (Chorus)
A
Repetition/Listing
5
Q
‘base of _______’ (Chorus)
A
stock
6
Q
What technique is used in the following quotations: ‘riper years of Wittenberg/fruitful plot of scholarism/sweet delight disputes’? (Chorus)
A
Semantic field
7
Q
Which real life university did Faustus attend?
A
Wittenberg
8
Q
What religious event is connected with Wittenberg University?
A
The Protestant Reformation of 1517. Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of a church in the city.
9
Q
Which radical professor of moral theology is associated with Wittenberg University?
A
Martin Luther
10
Q
What did Martin Luther criticise?
A
The corruption of the Catholic Church
11
Q
What dramatical device is used by playwriters to convey a character’s thoughts on stage?
A
Soliloquy
12
Q
Which four key academic disciplines does Faustus consider in Act 1: Scene 1?
A
Philosophy, Law, Medicine and Divinity
13
Q
What does the term ‘finite’ mean?
A
Limited in size or extent
14
Q
‘Is to dispute well, logic’s chiefest _____?’ (1.1)
A
End
15
Q
‘thou hast attain’d that _______’ (1.1)
A
End
16
Q
‘hast thou not attain’d that ______?’ (1.1)
A
End
17
Q
‘When all is done, ________ is best.’ (1.1)
A
Divinity
18
Q
‘The reward of sin is death. That’s _______.’ (1.1)
A
Hard
19
Q
‘Che sera, sera/What shall be shall be? Divinity, _________!’ (1.1)
A
Adieu!
20
Q
What does Renaissance mean?
A
Re-birth
21
Q
The Renaissance questioned beliefs and disciplines from which time period?
A
Medieval
22
Q
What does omnipotence mean?
A
All powerful
23
Q
What does deity mean?
A
God
24
Q
‘Necromantic books are _________’ (1.1)
A
Heavenly
25
In the quotation: 'Necromantic books are heavenly', what is that attracts Faustus to black-magic?
The ability to be as powerful as a God (Omnipotent)
26
'O, what a world of __________ and delight' (1.1)
Profit
27
'Of power, of honour, of _______________' (1.1)
Omnipotence
28
'A sound magician is a mighty _______' (1.1)
God
29
'Here, Faustus, try thy brain to gain a ________'
Deity
30
Which historical figure of Elizabeth I's court is the character of Faustus apparently somewhat based on?
Dr John Dee
31
'heap God's heavy ________ upon thy head!' (1.1)
Wrath
32
Who is Jove?
The King of the Roman gods
33
The Good and Evil Angels are stock characters from what type of plays?
Morality
34
The Good and Evil Angels are what type of device typical of morality plays?
Stock characters
35
In the quotation: 'I am glutted with conceit of this!', why does Marlowe use the adjective 'glutted' in particular? (1.1)
To link Faustus' temptation to the sin of gluttony.
36
What is suggested about Faustus' ambitions by having him talk about 'gold', 'pearl' and 'silk' whilst contemplating black magic in 1:1?
Superficial
37
Which King wrote Daemonologie?
King James I
38
What does Faustus ask Mephistopheles to change to upon first seeing him?
An old Franciscan friar
39
Why did Mephistopheles appear to Faustus?
Because he heard him 'abjure the scriptures'
40
'How _________ is this Mephistopheles?' (1.3)
Pliant
41
'I see there's virtue in my __________ words.' (1.3)
Heavenly
42
'I am ____________ to great Lucifer' (1.3)
Servant
43
What does hubristic mean?
Arrogant or excessively proud
44
'Four and twenty years...live in all _________________' (1.3)
Voluptuousness
45
'This word ________________ terrifies not him.' (1.3)
Damnation
46
'_____________ spirits that fell with Lucifer.' (1.3)
Unhappy
47
'And are forever __________ with Lucifer.' (1.3)
Damned
48
'who saw the face of God/And tasted the eternal joys of heaven/Am not ______________ by ten thousand hells' (1.3)
Tormented
49
'O Faustus, __________ these frivolous demands.' (1.3)
Leave
50
'Learn thou of Faustus __________ fortitude.' (1.3)
Manly
51
What Catholic practice was outlawed in the 16th century?
Mass
52
What attitude of Protestant England does the quotation: 'Go, and return an old Franciscan friar/That holy shape becomes a devil best' indicate?
Anti-Catholic
53
What event occurred in 1588 that helped fuel Anti-Catholic sentiment?
The Spanish Armada
54
What language does Faustus use to summon Mephistopheles?
Latin
55
What are the minor characters of Wagner and Robin meant to embody?
Faustus' flaws. Wagner represents Faustus' longing for power and Robin symbolises the way that Faustus is driven by lust.
56
'tickle the pretty _________/plackets' (1.4)
wenches
57
'Call me Master ___________' (1.4)
Wagner
58
'_________ yourself presently unto me/or I'll turn all the lice about thee into familiars' (1.4)
Bind
59
What type of minor stock character is Robin?
The clown
60
'would you teach me to raise up Banios and __________' (1.4)
Belcheos
61
How is Mephistopheles different in 2:1 to 1:3?
He urges Faustus to sign the contract rather than warning him.
62
'Now Faustus, must thou needs be ___________' (2.1)
Damned
63
'And canst thou not be _________.' (1.4)
Saved
64
'The God thou servest is thine own ___________' (2.1)
Appetite
65
'To him I'll build an alter and a ____________' (2.1)
Church
66
'My blood __________, and I can write no more.' (2.1)
Congeals
67
What is the significance of the Latin phrase 'Consummatum est' (it is finished) that Faustus utters when he signs the contract? (2.1)
These are the last words of Christ on the cross.
68
What does the term 'Homo Fuge' mean?
Fly, man.
69
'let me have the fairest _______ in Germany' (2.1)
Maid
70
Which character does Faustus mirror through his request for 'the fairest maid in Germany'?
Robin
71
What did Calvinists believe?
Predestination - God decides if you go to heaven or hell when you are born
72
What did Lutherans believe?
The fate of your soul was determined by your actions on earth.
73
In the quotation: 'must thou needs be damned...canst thou not be saved,' (2.1) which religious view does Faustus embody?
Lutheranism
74
In the quotation: 'Whither should I fly? If unto God, he'll throw me down to hell' (2.1) which religious view does Faustus embody?
Calvinism
75
'And I will be thy ___________ and wait on thee.' (2.1)
Slave
76
'And then be thou as great as __________' (2.1)
Lucifer
77
'(Aside) O, what will not I do to __________ his soul?' (2.1)
Obtain
78
'(Aside) I'll fetch him somewhat to ___________ his mind' (2.1)
Delight
79
'I think hell's a __________' (2.1)
Fable
80
'I'll fetch thee a wife, in the ___________ name' (2.1)
Devil's
81
Define repentance
To feel remorse for your sins and seek forgiveness
82
'When I behold the heavens, then I ___________ /And curse thee wicked Mephistopheles' (2.3)
Repent
83
'Ay, but Faustus shall never __________' (2.3)
Repent
84
'My heart's so _____________ I cannot repent'.' (2.3)
Hardened
85
'And long ere this I should have slain myself/Had not sweet __________ conquered deep despair.' (2.3)
Pleasure
86
'I am resolved, Faustus shall ________ repent.'
Ne'er
87
'Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art ____________.' (2.3)
Damned
88
'_________ too late, if Faustus can repent.' (2.3)
Never
89
'If thou repent, _________ shall tear thee in pieces.' (2.3)
Devils
90
Why does Lucifer shows Faustus the Seven Deadly Sins?
To distract him from the thought of repentance.
91
'O, this _______ my soul!' (2.3)
Feeds
92
What biographical context might you link to Marlowe's inclusion of so many figures from the classical world such as Homer and Alexander?
He would likely have attended grammar school.
93
Which sin does Mephistopheles remark that the cardinals and popes are engaging in?
Gluttony
94
Why does Marlowe connect the character of Faustus to Martin Luther?
To link Faustus to ideas of theology and present him as a radical figure.
95
In his opening soliloquy, Marlowe has Faustus repeat the word 'end' - why?
To convey how the title character believes he has reached the 'end' of what he can learn from the four medieval disciplines.
96
The play is set during the time of The Renaissance - this was a 're-birth' of....?
Intellectual curiosity and questioning
97
In what way might Faustus have been influenced by the real life figure of Dr John Dee?
Dee, like Faustus, turned away from conventional knowledge as the court astronomer of Elizabeth I. Instead, he pursued other forms of darker, forbidden knowledge.
98
How does the play reflect societal attitudes towards witchcraft and the supernatural?
People were both fearful of, and fascinated by, witchcraft and the supernatural; this era was often known as the time of 'satanic panic'
99
Faustus' incantation in 1.3 to try and summon Mephistopheles is in Latin, why?
Latin was the language of Catholic mass. Marlowe therefore presents this ceremony as being like Faustus' spells - foolish and unholy.
100
What is the significance of Mephistopheles speaking in asides in 2.1?
This presents Mephistopheles as a more deceitful character, contrasting his earlier openness and transparency.
101
In 2.3, Faustus says 'when I behold the heavens then I repent and curse thee __________ Mephistopheles'
wicked
102
At the start of 2.3, Faustus calls Mephistopheles 'wicked' - how is this different to 2.1 (the last time we saw the two together)
He had previously called him 'sweet Mephistopheles', showing how their relationship has changed during this time.
103
What was the name of the Renaissance philosophy which placed 'man as the measure of all things'?
Humanism
104
What was Humanism?
A philosophy of the Renaissance period which placed 'man as the measure of all things', rather than looking to God and religious scripture for moral guidance.
105
What technique is used here 'necromantic books are heavenly'? (1.1)
Oxymoron/juxtaposition
106
What is the significance of Faustus declaring 'necromantic books are heavenly'? (1.1)
Faustus seems to take delight in blaspheming, failing to understand the consequences of his profane attitude.
107
As 3.1 begins, we learn that Faustus has been realising his ambitions to gather knowledge of....
the universe
108
At the start of 3.1, Wagner (acting as the chorus) tells us Faustus has been using magic to gather knowledge of the universe. This, again, presents him as a symbol of....
The inquisitive Renaissance period
109
At the start of 3.1 we learn Faustus has been gathering knowledge of the universe; however, he is quickly tempted to have some wicked fun by...?
Mephistopheles
110
The play's comic scenes generally serve two main purposes- what are they?
1. To provide the audience with light comic relief from the play's intense tragic scenes. 2. To parallel Faustus' behaviour, presenting him as foolish and led by his sinful desires.
111
3.1 is generally used to mock and critique which group of people?
The Catholic church
112
What is the correct term for the court of the pope?
The papal court
113
What does the word 'excommunicated' mean?
to be cut-off or excluded (from a holy organisation)
114
In what year was Elizabeth I excommunicated from the Catholic church?
1570
115
What were 'Indulgences' ?
Indulgences were monetary gifts that were made in exchange for forgiveness from sin. Some saw these as a sign of the Catholic church's corruption.
116
Faustus challenges the authority and truth of the church - how could this be linked to the the scientist Galileo?
Galileo questioned the idea of God as the centre of the universe by suggesting that the earth orbits the sun, and not the other way round.
117
''bald pate friars/Whose ________ / ____________ is in belly cheer' (3.1)
summun bonnum
118
What does 'summun bonnum' mean? (3.1)
greatest good
119
What does Mephistopheles mean when he says that the Catholic's friar's 'summun bonnum is in belly cheer' (3.1)
He is suggesting that their greatest good is in satisfying their own greedy appetites.
120
Why does Mephistopheles refer to the 'bald pate' friars? (3.1)
To mock their appearance and, by extension, their religious views.
121
What is the significance of the Pope being gifted fine delicacies - e.g. 'here is a dainty dish was sent from the Bishop of Milan'
It conveys the corruption of the Catholic church, as the good favour of the Pope can seemingly be brought through bribery.
122
In 3.1, how is Faustus presented as a different character compared to the renowned scholar that was introduced in the prologue?
He is presented as little more than a court jester performing cheap tricks, e.g. Faustus hits him a box of the ear'. Marlowe therefore shows how he has been degraded by black magic.
123
'Bell, book and candle, candle, book and bell'/Forward and backward to curse Faustus to __________' (3.1)
hell
124
What is Faustus alluding to here: Bell, book and candle, candle, book and bell'/Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell' (3.1)?
The ceremony of excommunication
125
How does Marlowe show Faustus's attitude towards idea of excommunication: Bell, book and candle, candle, book and bell'/Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell' (3.1)
The rhyming couplet creates creates a simple, upbeat tone suggesting Faustus doesn't take the threat of excommunication seriously.
126
How are Faustus' cheap tricks in 3.1 mirrored in the next scene?
Faustus' attempts to trick the Pope in 3.1 are similar to how Robin and Rafe in the next scene try to trick the vintner so they don't have to pay for the wine.
127
How might the numerous allusions to the classical world have been shaped by Marlowe's education?
He attended grammar school, a new form of education at the time, where teaching was based on the classical world of ancient Greece and Rome.
128
Which character from Greek myth is Faustus compared to in the prologue?
Icarus
129
Why is Faustus compared to the character of Icarus in the prologue?
The prologue conveys that Faustus, like Icarus, will be undone by his desire to blur the line between mortals and Gods.
130
'His waxen ___________ did mount above his reach' (1.1)
wings
131
Faustus' opening soliloquy in 1.1 is structured as...
iambic pentameter
132
Why does Marlowe structure Faustus' first soliloquy in iambic pentameter?
This is used to present the protagonist as a measured and articulate intellectual.
133
Why is Faustus described as 'Not marching in the fields of Trasimene...Nor sporting in the dalliance of love...Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds.'? (1.1)
To depict how Faustus is a different tragic hero - not a brave warrior, nor a great romantic figure, nor a noble or political figure.
134
Why does Marlowe introduce Faustus in the setting of his study?
To define him as an intellectual, educated figure.
135
In 1.3 what is the significance of Faustus telling Mephistopheles 'thou art too ugly to attend on me'?
This conveys that Faustus is too arrogant to understand that Mephistopheles' grotesque appearance is a warning about the evil he represents.
136
What does the term 'anagnorisis' mean?
The point in a play where the main protagonist discovers another character's true identity.
137
Where do we see a point of anagnorisis in the play?
2.3 - where Faustus sees Mephistopheles not as 'sweet', but rather as 'wicked': 'when I behold the heavens then I repent and curse thee, wicked Mephistopheles' (2.3)
138
In Act 4, the title character mainly uses his magic to...
perform various tricks and illusions.
139
In Act 4, what does Faustus make appear on the Knight's head
a pair of horns
140
In Act 4, why does Faustus make a pair of horns appear on the Knight's head
Because the Knight has been mocking Faustus and doubting his magic.
141
What is the significance of Faustus making a pair of horns appear on the Knight's head in Act 4?
It shows how the protagonist is using magic to for petty grudges, rather than to 'resolve me of all ambiguities' as he stated at the start of the play.
142
In Act 4, Faustus sells a horse to a horse-courser (a horse trader) - what happens to the horse?
It disappears when the horse-courser rides it into water.
143
What is the significance of the deal that Faustus makes with the horse-courser?
The bogus deal (the horse ultimately disappears when it is taken into water) parallels the foolish bargain that Faustus has struck with Lucifer.
144
Act 5 begins by Wagner informing the audience that Faustus has been behaving strangely by...
giving away all his possessions
145
How does the play's final act return to the motif of food and gluttony?
Wagner explains how, despite Faustus' impending doom, he continues to 'banquet' and indulge in 'belly cheer'.
146
In Act 5, an Old Man appears to Faustus - what does he symbolise?
A final chance at repentance
147
What is the repeated structure that Marlowe uses in the play to show Faustus' indecision between necromancy and repentance?
Doubt - Persuasion - Resolution - Gain
148
Where in the play do we see the 'Doubt - Persuasion - Resolution - Gain' structure being used by Marlowe?
This is most obviously shown in 2.1, 2.3 and 5.1
149
How does Marlowe use the 'Doubt - Persuasion - Resolution - Gain' structure in 5.1?
DOUBT - The Old Man pushes Faustus to repent PERSUASION - Faustus is threatened by Mephistopheles. RESOLUTION - Faustus reaffirms his vow to Lucifer in blood. GAIN - Faustus takes Helen of Troy as his lover.
150
How does Marlowe use the 'Doubt - Persuasion - Resolution - Gain' structure in 2.3
DOUBT - Faustus says, 'When I behold the heavens, then I repent'. PERSUASION - Mephistopheles persuades Faustus that heaven is not as wonderous as human life. RESOLUTION - Faustus says, 'I am resolv'd; GAIN - Faustus rewarded with knowledge of the universe. Faustus shall ne'er repent'.
151
In 5.1, who does Faustus ask to be his paramour?
Helen of Troy
152
How does the Old Man parallel Faustus?
The Old Man in some ways mirrors Faustus who, after 24 years, is himself an old man. This is because life expectancy at the time was was less than 40 years of age.
153
'guide thy steps unto the way of _________'
life
154
Who tells Faustus he has come to 'guide thy steps unto the way of life'?
The Old Man
155
What is the significance of the Old Man telling Faustus he has come to 'guide thy steps unto the way of life'?
It suggests he can offer Faustus another path that will being him back to God
156
'break heart, drop __________ , and mingle it with tears'
blood
157
What is the significance of the Old Man (in 1.5) telling Faustus that he must 'break heart, drop blood, and mingle it with tears'
The triplet of verbs used shows how repentance must be defined by action, not just words.
158
How is the image of blood (in 5.1) significant?
The Christian audience would see blood as representing Christ's love for humanity and the promise of eternal life.
159
In 5.1, rather than 'drop[ping] blood' as the Old Man instructs, what does Faustus do?
He reaffirms his contract to Lucifer in blood
160
What does Mephistopheles pass Faustus in 5.1?
a dagger
161
In 5.1, why does Mephistopheles pass Faustus a dagger?
Mephistopheles hopes Faustus will kill himself and therefore move beyond hope of salvation. The audience would have seen suicide as the ultimate sin, believing God decides when a life comes to an end
162
'Revolt, or I'll piecemeal tear thy ______________'
flesh
163
How is Mephistopheles different in 5.1, compared to earlier on in the play?
Mephistopheles threatens and manipulates Faustus to ensure is damnation, whereas previously he tried to warn him.
164
What connects the following quotations: 'Fairer than the evening air' 'Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter' 'More lovely than the monarch of the sky'?
Marlowe uses a series of comparative adjectives to present Helen of Troy's beauty as being beyond compare.
165
Marlowe presents Helen of Troy as having an incomparable beauty. However, he also links her to language of...
destruction
166
When describing Helen of Troy, Faustus refers to a 'thousand ships' and 'the topless towers of Ilium'. How does this present her?
This links Helen to ideas of destruction - 'thousand ships' were Greek warships launched to destroy the city of Troy and 'the topless towers of Ilium' were burned because of Helen.
167
flaming Jupiter/when he appeared to hapless ________'
Semele
168
Who is 'Semele'?
A figure from Greek myth who was destroyed when she asked to see Jupiter's brilliance
169
'her lips suck forth my ___________'
soul
170
Who is Faustus referring to when he says, 'her lips suck forth my soul'
Helen of Troy
171
What is the significance of Faustus describing how 'her [Helen's] lips suck forth my soul'
Faustus seems to realise that Helen will cause his damnation, but he is so consumed by lustful desires he's incapable of thinking about anything else.
172
How might Faustus' blasphemy link to Marlowe himself?
Marlowe was accused by another playwright, Thomas Kyd, of expressing radical atheist views, such as declaring that 'Christ was a bastard'
173
Which other scene does Act 5, Scene 2 mirror?
Act One, Scene 1
174
In what ways does the final scene (Act 5, Scene 2) mirror the play's opening scene (Act 1, Scene 1)?
a. The setting is the same - Faustus' study. b. Faustus speaks in soliolquy c. Faustus considers then rejects various options
175
Why does Marlowe mirror the final scene (Act 5, Scene 2) with the play's opening scene (Act 1, Scene 1)?
To show Faustus' tragic fall; he has gone from being an esteemed scholar at the start of the play, to a desperate and hopeless man by the end.
176
What connects the following quotations from the play's final scene? - 'Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven' - 'Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me' - 'Now draw up Faustus like a foggy mist'
They are all imperatives
177
Why does Marlowe have Faustus use a range of imperatives (e.g. 'Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven') in the final scene?
To show Faustus' helplessness as he can exert no control over the universe by this point.
178
How is Faustus presented in the final scene of the play?
As desperate and panicked
179
How does Marlowe break up the rhythm of Marlowe's final soliloquy?
a. uneven line length b. uneven metre, e.g. lines with an extra syllable c. multiple mid-line pauses (caesuras)
180
How and why does Marlowe manipulate the passing of time in Faustus' final soliloquy?
There are 30 lines up to the clock striking half-hour, but then only 19 lines until the hour begins to strike. This is to create the impression of time speeding up - presenting Faustus, again, as being powerless.
181
What is the final line of the play?
'I'll burn my books'
182
'I'll burn my ______________'
books
183
What is the significance of the play's final line - 'I'll burn my books'
His books, representing the Renaissance search for knowledge, are ultimately shown to be incompatible with Medieval Christian values.
184
'___________ his hellish fall'
Regard
185
What is the significance of the audience being instructed in the epilogue to 'Regard his hellish fall'?
It conveys how the play is intended to be a cautionary tale
186
'Cut is the ___________ that might have grown full straight'
branch
187
In the epilogue, why does Marlowe metaphorically compare Faustus to a tree - 'Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight'
To show how Faustus' desire for Godly power was unnatural and led to his vast potential being wasted.
188
What was The Bishop's Ban?
An order signed in 1599 to band a number of literary works that were deemed unpatriotic or unholy.
189
What was the name of the legal order given in 1599 to ban a number of literary works that were seen as unpatriotic or unholy?
The Bishop's Ban
190
Why might Marlowe have chosen to end the play on a cautionary note, warning about the dangers of overreaching?
Plays at the time were being censored or banned if they were seen as unholy or unpatriotic (The Bishop's Ban - 1599)
191
What is an 'Everyman'?
An Everyman is a stock character (often from morality plays) used to represent human society in general.
192
How is Faustus initially depicted as an Everyman?
He comes from humble beginnings, as his parents are described as 'base of stock'; he is also described in the prologue as not being a great soldier, romantic or noble figure.
