Doctor Faustus reading journal - Prologue, Act 1 - 5

Prologue

• The play starts with a chorus. Similar structure to the Greek plays, suggesting that perhaps this play will be a tragedy or a comedy???
• Faustus' family were 'base of stock' - a low social class- and yet we learn that his is  very clever; he has studied at 'Wittenberg'- the famous German university, and he is 'graced with a doctors name' meaning he has been awarded a doctorate. This creates a good, admirable image for Faustus which makes his downfall into evil, even more effective.
• Link to the Icarus myth 'his waxen wings did mount above his reach' suggesting that a similar fate awaits Faustus - that his intrigue and lust for knowledge and power will get the better of him and result in his downfall.
• We learn basically the whole story, that because of Faustus' dealings in 'necromancy' which he regards higher than his 'chilliest bliss'- heaven- Faustus falls.

ACT 1
Scene 1

• We learn that Faustus has explored  lots of areas of study and wants to make up his mind as to what to study next 'settle thy studies'. This reflects on the full extent of his knowledge, as he has done learnt everything natural. Also reiterated by his use of Latin. Marlowe exploits his cleverness, but also his lack of purpose because he is so unsure as to what to do with his power. This is exploited later in the play as his eagerness to study is manipulates by the devil.
• He mocks the statement 'the reward of sin is death' and yet that is what later is doomed to befall upon him.
• 'a sound magician is a mighty god' suggests that Faustus motif for turning to magic is similar to that of Lucifer - because he wants to posses the same power as god.
• Describes magic as a 'miracle' therefore an act of god - supporting the previous idea that Faustus wants gods powers.
• 'good' and 'evil' angels - representing the two sides of his conscience in a physical form. Hinting at the fact that perhaps there is a better side to him.
• 'pleasant fruits' links to the bible and how it was fruit that tempted eve to the fall.
•  'Tis magic, magic that has ravished me' Faustus seems to understand the dangers of what he is dabbling in.
• 'this night I'll conjure, though I'll die therefore' reinforces the idea that he understands what he is doing, and that he is willingly to sacrifice his life for knowledge and pleasure.
• He is greedy not only for knowledge but for wealth 'ransack the ocean for orient pearl'
• Constant references to the classical 'delphian oracle' , 'Jove'.

Scene 2

• Scholars scene. This scene introduces a common theme which keeps recurring in the plays structure, where Faustus' actions are dramatically paralleled in the actions of his servants or those who are less intelligent or socially advanced as him.
• 'That damned art' thought the two scholars are meant to be less accomplished than Faustus, they realise the danger he has surrounded himself in - proof that Faustus no matter' brains have been blinded by his lust for knowledge and wealth.
• 'Nothing can reclaim him' They are awarer of Faustus' fate, even when he is not. Indicate that no matter what Faustus does, he is doomed.

Scene 3

• 'gloomy shadow... drizzling' - sets the scene for what is later to appear in the scene.
• The latin which he uses to summon Mephistopheles itself evidences how close the evil of the devil is to that of god, as latin is considered a 'holy' language and it summons evil as well as good.
• twists godly images into ones with satanical links, like 'the sign of the cross' and 'holy water'
• 'though art too ugly to attend on me' Faustus has a lot of nerve, shows that he i doesn't take his actions very seriously.
• '...Franciscan Friar/ that holy shape becomes a devil best'- first of many many anti-catholic jibes which occur in the play, perhaps to please the protestant queen Elizabeth.
• 'I see there is virtue in my heavenly words' - Faustus gets slightly arrogant at the thought he can control 'hell itself'
• 'I charge thee, wait upon me whilst I live' - reiterates this as he is 'bossing' M around, treating his actions as a joke.
• Yet it is not only this which raises Mephistopheles but his 'mission' to capture the 'glorious souls' of those who 'rack the name of God' - emphasises the seriousness of what Faustus is doing.
• Faustus rejects God - 'there is no chief but Beelzebub/ to whom Faustus doth dedicate himself'
• 'why, this is hell' - suggests that just living on earth is hell, can be viewed lightly as Faustus does, seeing it as a 'positive' side to selling his soul.

Scene 4

• Robin - a comic interlude in the play which keeps reoccurring- providing an glimpse at reality in Faustus' strange ways. Proves that life still goes on, no matter what he does, makes his life seem less significant. Also provide a mirror to Faustus' actions.
• Throughout this scene, where Wagner threatens robin with torments unless he agrees to serve him for 7 years, we can see how Faustus' servitude to lucifer could be.This highlights faustus's foolishness in his actions as no-one would willingly give up their life.
• the two devils 'balioll and belcher' can be linked to the seven deadly sins. if you take 'balioll' and being pronounces like belly-o therefore representing gluttony.
• Latin is referred to by Robin as 'dutch fustian' - reduces the prestige that is awarded to Wagner for this 'skill'

 ACT 2

Scene 1

• 'must thou needs be damned' - already, so close to the start of the play, Faustus has already accepted his fate, and given in to the idea that God has rejected him.
• Faustus claims to 'despair in God and trust in Beelzebub', but why does he use the name Beelzebub instead of Lucifer, as both would fit into the iambic pentameter. I  think the reason is that, in truth, Faustus can't face the idea that he has turned to the devil and by saying 'Beelzebub' instead, reduces the impact of what he is professing.
• 'to God? He loves thee not' - Faustus' odd beliefs are highlighted as he is going against the normal omni-benevolent view of God.
• 'offer lukewarm blood of new born babes' - this statement is over the top and overly grizzly - perhaps reflecting how Faustus is making a mockery of the whole thing, and taking none of it seriously.
• 'fruits of lunacy' - this is what the evil angel says to Faustus - perhaps linking to the  fruit which leads to the fall in the bible.
• 'When Mephistopheles shall stand by me, what god can hurt thee?' Faustus views the devil as a more powerful source than god - perhaps that is why he chose to dabble in those arts rather than with god - because he wants the utmost source of power???
• 'for that security craves great Lucifer' why does the devil need a security????? evidencing that perhaps he is not as powerful as Faustus thinks.
• Mephistopheles, for love of thee' evidence perhaps of love between Faustus and Mephistopheles,which is further continued throughout the play.
• 'My blood congeals' -faustus' body is even against his action of siding with the devil.
• 'Consummatum est.... Homo fuge' - inversion of biblical references, a theme which is present throughout the play.
• the conditions Faustus signs up to could be seen to parallel the ten commandments - evidence of yet another biblical inversion.
• 'I think hell's a fable' - evidence that even thought Faustus is supposedly extremely clever, he fails to believe in hell even though he has loads of evidence. He is attempting to be a cynic, yet with this much evidence, he just looks stupid!

Scene 2

• Robin and Rafe interlude - they make fun of Faustus' work, with innuendo's and the like. This humour adds comic relief- but also comic parallels, because most of Faustus' scenes are a comic mockery anyway, so this is just a different type of comedy, so the play pleases everyones tastes.
• 'brimstone devil' they are mocking the arts which faustus is taking so seriously, making Faustus seem not as clever as first believed.

Scene 3

• 'It was made for man, therefore man is more excellent' Mephistopheles woo's Faustus with sayings such as this. The work because Faustus wants to be better than God. 
• 'I will renounce this magic and repent' - Faustus is swung by the idea that his natural place is in heaven, suggesting that he is not really as stupid as he first implies, also proves that he has doubts about his dealings with the devil, as he is slowly realising how serious it actually is.
• 'God will pity me if I repent' - Faustus original opinion, this changes to the opposite at the end of the play, reflecting the negative effect that the devil has on him as he losses all hope ; 'My heart is so hardened I cannot repent'
• Faustus considers suicide - worse sin ever! reflecting his loss of hope - 
• The thoughts of the evil angel 'Faustus shall never repent' are echoed in Faustus own thoughts 'Faustus shall ne'er repent' - reinforcing the idea that the angels are part of Faustus' conscience, and the faustus is siding with the evil, turning against logic, which he has seemingly followed his whole life.
• Faustus seems to realise that he could have sided with the weaker power
• 'Christ cannot save your soul for he is just' - the idea of predestination and the fact that faustus is doomed whatever he does is brought up here.
• Seven deadly sins display - both a display of what he can do (and will do!) and a warning of what faustus will become if he does follow these 'morals' - something he despises 'away to hell, to hell!' this is the fate that awaits him if he does act upon these seven sins.

ACT 3

Chorus

• Used to present Faustus actions over the years without acting them out, as that would reduce their awesomeness.
• The extremities of Faustus actions are highlighted 'scale olympus's top' etc... all the deeds he has done seem for pleasure rather that knowledge as they don't seem to be benefiting faustus in any other way that pleasure.

Scene 1

• Faustus further lists his exertions. This reinforces the idea that they are all for pleasure, ass they all seem fun but pointless.
• 'Has thou... conducted me within the walls of rome' The fact is that Faustus has no real power, all he has is the control over Mephistopheles, so he has not achieved much.
• Anti-catholic jibes continue- 'troupe of bald-pate friars whose summum bonum is in belly cheer' - idea of corrupt friars is continued.
• A comic scene follows - very anti-catholic! - context link to Protestant england, so would be both physically humorous and funny because of the subject matter.
• 'it may be some ghost, newly crept out of purgatory, come to beg pardon of your Holiness' - actually true in a way as Faustus is despite the farce, doomed to hell, and is latter to seek pardon.
• Faustus can be seen to represent the devil, and the pope god - therefore faustus' actions symbolises the battle directly between god and the devil.represent

Scene 2

• Another Robin and Rafe scene - this time could be seen as a parallel to Faustus' actions through Robin. The fact that robin is a clown, reflects how that is what Faustus has become through his exploits.
• 'ecce signum' more catholic language, the fact that Faunus does this too shows how he has stooped down to the level of Robin and rafe.
• Uses gibberish instead of latin, again reflecting the mockery of the 'scholarly' language.
• Even robin and rafe can summon Mephistopheles - evidence that Faustus shows no particular skill in siding with him. Also suggests that Mephistopheles was lying to him when he said that he could not be summoned by man - perhaps to give himself the upper hand?????

ACT 4
Chorus

• We learnt that all faustus has achieved is fame - which is nothing supernatural - eternal hell seems a high price to pay for that!

Scene 1

• 'Knowledge in the black art' - Strange description, sounds like what Faustus wants to hear because in truth he has no real knowledge at all, perhaps that is the tale faustus has been spreading about himself.
• 'let me see some proof of your skill' - links to the bible, where Jesus is tempted in the desert by the devil - idea that faustus is an inverted christ - he gives in to the temptation.
• 'I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me' - he has almost taken the place of Mephistopheles as he is serving others with his actions.
• classical references 'actaeon' etc...
• evidence of wrath, on of the deadly sins, later to be completed by Faustus, through his treatment of  the knight. Because he has been annoying him Faustus gives him 'a pair of horns on his head'.
• 'What art thou faustus but a man condemned to die?' Calvinist theories reiterated, Faustus believes that he is predestined to doom - therefore has no hope.
• 'distrust' in who?????? God or the devil???? he has already expressed distrust in God - major sin of despair - so perhaps it is Faustus distrusting the devil, or both because why would he need to trust in God if he trusted in the devil???
• Faustus pretends to lose his leg in front of the horse coursers, a bizarre and grotesque episode. Simkin suggests that the comic dismemberment could link to Faustus' eventual fate.

Scene 2

• Faustus produces ripe grapes - quite an odd thing to do. Also very ordinary, not as extravagant as you would expect from someone who has sold his soul to the devil. Perhaps reiterating the fact that it wasn't worth it and the Faustus has made a mistake.
• 'they be the best grapes that e'er i tasted in my life' - link the Jesus'  miracle at the wedding in Canna - the wine he produced was the 'best wine ever tasted' - reiterated the idea that Faustus is an inverted christ, and that his tricks could be perceived as the miracles.
• 'learned man' Faustus has achieved the status he always wanted, yet it is the same status he had before selling his soul - nothing has been accomplished.

ACT 5

Scene 1

• Inverted Christ idea again - 'amongst the students... who are at supper' - representing the last supper, the students being Faustus' disciples.
• Idea of scholar as disciples is exaggerated by them calling Faustus 'master' - what the disciples called Jesus.
• Old man - figure from the morality plays, trying to help Faustus repent.
• Mephistopheles hands Faustus a dagger - prompting him to kill himself, therefore committing the ultimate sin of despair.
• 'hopeless soul' - even the old man, who keeps urging Faustus to call upon god for mercy, recognises that Faustus' souls is hopeless, beyond saviour - predestination?????
• 'i do repent, and yet i do despair' - Faustus has lost his mind, doesn't know what he wants to do.
• 'with my blood i will confirm my former vow i made with lucifer' - Faustus rejects the offer of repentance and chooses to side with the devil yet again - this time his body does not attempt to stop him - so he is truly lost to the devil - a truly lost soul.
• 'sweet Mephistopheles' - the idea of a relationship between these two characters is deepened.
• Helen of troy 'sucks forth his soul' - so does Faustus have a soul?????
• Helen of troy represents the deadly sin of lust - all seven have been acted out by Faustus in the play:
• Pride - Faustus' actions, and unwillingness to repent
• covetousness - Faustus is jealous of God and the power he possesses
• Wrath - Faustus actions towards the old man and the knight
• Envy - Faustus is envious of god and the devil and their powers
• Gluttony - the popes feast and greed in his lust for power and wealth
• Sloth - the fact that he has achieved nothing
• Lechery - his meeting with helen of troy
• 'I will be Paris'  - Faustus gives himself the role of the fool Paris, who puts his own lust for Helen against his city - representing Faustus putting his lust for knowledge ahead of his own life.

Scene 2

• We find out that Faustus is given a similar fate to lucifer - thrown from the face of God.
• There is the idea that God has rejected Faustus 'if thou wilt not have mercy upon me' - throughout this whole act. However it could be argued that another view on this would be that Faustus has rejected God, because he is given the opportunity to repent and he chooses to confirm his offer with the devil instead.
• 'a deadly sin that has damned both body and soul' Faustus recognises what the impact of his life style has been on his soul - finally taking hell seriously!
• 'Remember gods mercy's are infinite' - this doesn't prove true for faustus - perhaps because he rejects them ; 'but Faustus' offence can ne'er be pardoned' - he thinks that there is no hope for him. 
• Faustus talks about himself in third person, as if his soul has already left his as he is an empty body.
• 'Oh would i never seen Wittenberg, never read a book' - Faustus blames his turn to the devil on his education and knowledge
• 'I will stay faustus' 'and pray for me' - reiterating the idea that the scholars are disciples - their actions resemble those of the disciples at the garden of gethsemane. 
• The final soliloquy of Faustus is the final inversion of christianity , symbolising Christ's passion- presenting Faustus as an inverted christ going through the passion, starting at the Garden of gethsemane and ending on the cross. 
• This idea is backed up with the language 'my god, my god' - mirroring that of Jesus' last words on the cross.
• It seems that in Faustus' last words he repents ' i'll burn my books' - symbolising how he losses his pride, but is it enough???
• his last word 'Mephistopheles' emphasised his feelings for him.
• The fact that he ends going to hell, fulfils the genre of 'morality play' as Faustus gets what he deserves, therefore warning others not to turn to the devil.

Epilogue

• ends with the chorus - same as the beginning - symbolising that nothing was really accomplished.
• Also links it back to the greek tragedy and its origins - greeko tragic canon.
• 'to practise more than heavenly power permits'  - the moral of the play. Evidences that heavenly power not devilish power is the one in control as it is because heaven did not permit it that Faustus fell.