faustus -> 5.2 Flashcards
what is so significant about time in doctor faustus?
it is literally the only thing faustus can’t control even with his necromantic omnipotence. It serves as a reminder to both him and the audience that no matter his power, he is still subjected to human limitations and therefore he is arrogant to believe he has surpassed humanity at all
key quote 1/6 [5.2]
‘The serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not Faustus.’
analyse ‘The serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not Faustus.’ [5.2]
Marlowe references the book of Genesis once again, which parallels act one scene one to signify the tragic ending of his cautionary tale, and implies that his actions are worse than the original sin of Christianity.
key quote 2/6 [5.2]
‘The devil draws in my tears … O he stays my tongue … they hold them, they hold them.’
analysis for ‘the devil draws in my tears … O he stays my tongue … they hold them, they hold them.’
Faustus is desperate for forgiveness and the repetition signifies his lack of control, but he also refuses to take responsibility for his own sins. He rejected repentance many times but blames everything on the devils, as if he didn’t literally summon them ?? bro
key quote 3/6 [5.2]
‘Stand still, you ever moving spheres of heaven.’
analyse ‘Stand still, you ever moving spheres of heaven.’
Use of imperatives to imply Faustus’ lack of control, he is helpless as he has no control over the universe. He’s foolishly attempting to fight the natural order of the world.
key quote 4/6 [5.2]
‘A year, a month, a week, a natural day.’
analyse ‘A year, a month, a week, a natural day.’ [5.2]
Asyndetic listing shows Faustus’ frantic desperation for time. The fact that the list is depreciative, getting smaller and smaller, shows how desperate he is as he attempts to bargain with God for a chance at repentance.
key quote 5/6 [5.2]
‘Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me, And hide me from the heavy wrath of God.’
analyse ‘Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me, And hide me from the heavy wrath of God.’ [5.2]
Parallels the good angel’s words from 1.1 ‘heavy wrath of God’ to serve as a cautionary tale. Another use of imperatives to signify helplessness
key quote 6/6 [5.2]
‘I’ll burn my books.’
analyse ‘I’ll burn my books.’ [5.2]
Faustus’ final line. Ao3/Ao2 = it represents the incompatibility of the Renaissance-typical inquisition and the ideals of Medieval Christian doctrines, which is a major theme in the play. As well as this, it represents the degradation of Faustus’ character, books that used to be respectable research and part of his character as a genius intellect became a figure of his damnation that he is now willing to burn and forever rid himself of, despite his former hunger for it.
what is significant about the structure of the lines in [5.2] ?
Uneven line length and multiple mid-sentence caesuras to signify how Faustus is frantic and desperate
what is significant about the number of lines in [5.2]
up to the half-hour, there are 30 lines and after that there are 19. This creates the impression of time speeding up and emphasises Faustus’ powerlessness
