Repentance vs Damnation

Question 1

1:3 “four and twenty years in all volumptousness”

Answer 1

Faustus neglects repentance and spiritual bliss for temporary luxury and power - Faustus as foolish

Question 2

2:1 “damned” “saved and “heaven” “dispear”

Answer 2

Repeated interrogating phrases
Emphatic of Faustus’ inner conflict of whether he should repent.

Question 3

2:1 “despair in God and trust in Beelzebub”

Answer 3

Parallel phrasing
Inverted logic suggests Faustus is psychologically dawned by sin/ the devil.

Question 4

2:1 “my blood congeals”

Answer 4

Physical aversion to the contract and damnation through eternal suffering - perhaps Marlowe is alluding to divine intervention - God is attempting to halt Faustus from damning himself

Blood is a symbol of Faustus having a chance at repentance.

Question 5

2:3 “when I behold the heavens then I repent and curse Mephistopheles”

Answer 5

“Heavens” - Faustus is in awe of heaven and God’s gift to humanity - starkly contrasts ‘necromantic books are heavenly’.

“Repent” - repetition throughout act suggests Faustus genuinely wants forgiveness.

“Wicked” - contrasts ‘sweet’ suggesting Faustus is seemingly no longer deceived - change in his and Mephistopheles’ relationship.

Question 6

2:3 “yet God may pity me”

Answer 6

Acknowledging good angel’s words of advice to repent - tempted by devout faith in God’s creed rather than the devil’s.

Question 7

2:3 “ay, God will pity me if I repent”

Answer 7

Epiphora
Emphatic that evil angel’s corrupt guidance will have longevity compared to the good angels - ultimately suggests that evil angel is in control of Faustus’ narrative (downfall) - perhaps inevitability of damnation.

Question 8

2:3 “Faustus shall ne’er repent”

Answer 8

Shows his clear decision of damnation.