Social Context Flashcards
When was Doctor Faustus written?
Estimated 1592 (Elizabethan England)
The history of Christopher Marlowe?
Born of humble beginnings as the son of a shoe-maker.
Received a scholarship to Cambridge.
Could explain why he criticises the higher classes as there being ‘the more you have, the more you want’. Faustus has the power of mephistopheles and the intellect but wants more.
An atheist- arrested for heretical and blasphemous documents. Explain why he criticises the institution of the church.
Atheism in Elizabethan society
Punishment of heresy was death or burning at the stake.
The sin of despair/ suicide was also seen as the ultimate sin as you are giving up on the life God has given you and given up on God and Jesus’ dying on the cross for your sins.
Atheism in Doctor Faustus?
Not explicitly atheist as it would be punished by death.
Not antiGod as it encourages faith and loyalty to a forgiving God but more anti- establishment (anti-church) as Marlowe could be seen to be criticising the gluttony and pluralism of the church.
Could criticise the Catholic church- the POPE.Elizabeth ,as a protestant, would have wanted to indoctrinate the country with her chosen religion and against any others
The church in Elizabethan society?
The country was Protestant under Elizabeth and at this time many catholics were executed for their faith.There was a lot of hostility towards the catholics especially after the years of protestants burning at the stake under Bloody Mary.
What is the Great Chain of Being?
The theory, prominent in Elizabethan society, that God has placed you in your social standing and that you should not aim any higher/ disrupt this order.
What is The Divine Right of Kings?
That the monarch (Queen Elizabeth) was divinely appointed and therefore should not be disobeyed or usurped. Provides her legitimacy and also backs up the Great chain of Being.
