Faustus

Question 1

Doctor Faustus Introduction

Answer 1

The play begins with a chorus which conveys how Marlow was influenced by conventions of Greek tragedy

Question 2

Faustus : Prologue

Answer 2

Learn Faustus came from humble beginnings - establishing him as an Everyman figure
Rather than being born into status and wealth he has gained it through proving himself to be a respectable scholar particularly in his study of divinity

Learn of Faustus’ gluttonous desire for knowledge has led him to turn away from God and seek power through Necromancy

Question 3

General play AO3 facts :

Answer 3

The play was first performed in the late 16th century
Tragedy
Marlow was born in Canterbury in 1564

Renaissance

Question 4

Conflict example answer intro

Answer 4

Marlowe’s depiction of CONFLICT in Faustus in embedded within the conflicting cultural ideas which are conflated in his characterisation of Faustus: the Medieval morality hero and the Renaissance man, an archetype which emerged due to the newfound scientific discoveries such as the telescope which encouraged the pushing of boundaries of conventional Available knowledge.

Question 5

Conflict example answer 2

Answer 5

Faustus personal conflict between continuing the pursuit of earthly and mortal knowledge and the dark act if necromancy is most clearly signalled in his opening soliloquy in S1.
The forward momentum of his decision making process enacted by the opening line.
‘Settle the studies Faustus and begin’
Through the use of imperatives Faustus’s conflicted view of conventional occupations that are too ‘servile and illiterate’ highlights the conundrum faced many esteemed scholars during the Renaissance period.

Question 6

..It is likely Marlow Faustus is influenced by the renowned scholar

Answer 6

John Dee who collected the largest library in England. Like Faustus, Dee felt that he had experienced all the knowledge available to him, as during the Renaissance period knowledge was finite. And was later accused of ‘conjuring’ and was briefly imprisoned.

Question 7

Conflict p3

Answer 7

Faustus’ conflict through the soliloquy concluded Upon the same decision as Dee, that Faustus
‘will try thy brains to gain a deity’
The certainty of the decision which Faustus has reached is conveyed through the internal rhyme of ‘try thy’ and ‘brains to gain’ which through the rhythm and lyrical tone implies Faustus’ mounting sense of childish excitement as he concludes he will pursue and achieve the desires which he established in the beginning of the scene