Faustus Prologue Quotes' Analysis Flashcards

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1
Q

not marching… nor sporting… not in the pomp…

A

anaphoric repetition of negators that subverts the typical traits of a tragic hero of the Medieval period

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2
Q

use of chorus

A

influences the staging and sets up the themes, characterisation of Faustus, and idea of Greek tragedy

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3
Q

parents base of stock

A

audience made suspicious of Faustus as his humble beginnings imply he has overstepped / too ambitious by leaving the role society assigned him

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4
Q

riper years… fruitful plots… surfeits… sweet delight… swoll’n

A

semantic field of gluttony/ consumption, presenting the pursuit of religious knowledge as tempting

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5
Q

riper years to Wittenburg

A

presenting Faustus as a radical, revolutionary thinker as it was a place that challenged the typical thinking of the church (Protestant Reformation)

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6
Q

waxen wings

A

classical allusion to Icarus, who flew too close to the sun as a result of his ambition/ pride, Faustus therefore presented as someone with hubristic tendencies

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6
Q

melting heavens conspired his overthrow

A

foreshadowing his downfall, result of his deviation/ transgression from the status he was born with, shows that a greater power will realign the natural order

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7
Q

profits in divinity

A

initial suggestion of Faustus’ desire for financial gain/ superficial reward, rather than a pure pursuit of knowledge

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8
Q

glutted with learning’s golden gifts

A

alliteration that emphasises indulgence and excess

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