Doctor Faustus - Prologue Flashcards
1
Q
“Not marching now in the fields of trash end” / “Nor sporting in the dalliance of love” / “Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds”
A
- Anaphoric repetition of negators to emphasise the every-man figure
- Contrasted against the motif of bravery
- Emphasises his lack of status
- Atypical and unconventional
2
Q
“Base of stock”
A
- Metaphor for humble origin
- Lack of status
- Atypical of the time
3
Q
“Riper years to Wittenberg”
A
- Symbolic of change and intelligence
- Challenged normality emphasising the humanist thinker
CONTEXT : Martin Luther 1517 Protestant Reformation at Wittenberg University
4
Q
“Fruitful” / “Sweet” / “glutted”
A
- Motif of consumption
- Foreshadows Faustus’ harmartia
- Highlights the sinful desire for knowledge v power
- Biblical allusion of desire to GOE
5
Q
“His waxen wings did mount above his reach”
A
- Allusion to Icarus and his downfall
- Aspirational to achieve his ambition
- Cautionary / warning of overreaching
- Symbolic of fate
6
Q
“Heavens conspired his overthrow”
A
- Juxtaposition : forces of nature against him despite their biblical and holy origin (irony)
- Greater power in place to realign the natural order (TGCOB)
- Overreaching results in comeuppance
- Challenges god and societal expectations regarding religion
7
Q
Context for CHORUS
A
GREEK CONVENTION usually many flying heads but only uses 1.
8
Q
Context for Martin Luther
A
Martin Luther Protestant Reformation 1517 at Wittenberg university
