Major Themes Revealed In 'doctor Faustus'
- Date: 2007-05-17 - Word Count: 486
Share This!
Doctor Faustus was written by Marlowe for the Admiral's men and staged in 1588. The first Quarto edition was published in 1604. In 1616, an enlarged edition of the play was published containing many comics scenes that were absent in 1604 edition. The contemporary editions of Doctor Faustus depend upon both the above versions of the play.
There are several conflicting traditions at the dramatic core of Doctor Faustus. There is evidence of the influence of the traditions of orthodox Christianity, of the reformation, the Renaissance, of Paganism, of individualism and the incipient scientific modernity. The strength of the play lies in its disturbing impact on the audience, both Elizabethan and modern. Doctor Faustus explains a moment in history. Its tragedy is a national or cultural predicament. It is the dramatic story of human presumption, temptation, and damnation and fall. Doctor Faustus is a tragic version of heroic human possibilities where Faustus is the antithesis of the protagonists of morality plays. Where the morality play heroes were passionless, Faustus was passionate. If morality heroes are self effacing human beings, Faustus is superhuman in his ambitions.
Doctor Faustus is a Christian morality play. It signaled the refashioning of the morality play. The play is a human tragedy for not only is Faustus tragically constituted in his boundless ambitions but, the same time, the play questions the effectiveness of the cultural aspirations that shape his ambitions. The play provides a complex interaction between the human dimensions of the dramatic character and the ambiguities and ambivalences of the cultural situation the character is placed in. The play is played out in five Acts. Act I establishes Faustus' tragedy. Act II unfolds his tragedy in greater detail. The egocentric self temptation of Act I give way to an agonizing conflict between the religiously constituted self and the aberrations of its human impulses. Faustus despairs in God, a despair that makes him continue his self indulgence for which the King of Devils provides the fascination and the means.
As despair leads to the self indulgent belief that divine providence as well as divine wrath cannot reach him, Faustus signs the pact with the devil giving away his soul in return for his services. The course of Faustus rebellion through the third and the fourth Acts is totally unheroic. Faustus seeks and Mephistopheles plans a series of comic indulgences mainly to distract the former's mind from the tormenting religious awareness. As Faustus reaches his rebellious and tragic death in Act V, the nature of his death and the attendant torment bespeaks a magnificent tragedy. The tragic conflict does not abate till the end.
The play is a static play of tragic irresolution. The play stagnates in the middle sections of the third and fourth Acts, so much so that it distracts the audience. Though loose in form and disjointed in its dramatic power, Doctor Faustus has huge appeal even in the 21st century.
There are several conflicting traditions at the dramatic core of Doctor Faustus. There is evidence of the influence of the traditions of orthodox Christianity, of the reformation, the Renaissance, of Paganism, of individualism and the incipient scientific modernity. The strength of the play lies in its disturbing impact on the audience, both Elizabethan and modern. Doctor Faustus explains a moment in history. Its tragedy is a national or cultural predicament. It is the dramatic story of human presumption, temptation, and damnation and fall. Doctor Faustus is a tragic version of heroic human possibilities where Faustus is the antithesis of the protagonists of morality plays. Where the morality play heroes were passionless, Faustus was passionate. If morality heroes are self effacing human beings, Faustus is superhuman in his ambitions.
Doctor Faustus is a Christian morality play. It signaled the refashioning of the morality play. The play is a human tragedy for not only is Faustus tragically constituted in his boundless ambitions but, the same time, the play questions the effectiveness of the cultural aspirations that shape his ambitions. The play provides a complex interaction between the human dimensions of the dramatic character and the ambiguities and ambivalences of the cultural situation the character is placed in. The play is played out in five Acts. Act I establishes Faustus' tragedy. Act II unfolds his tragedy in greater detail. The egocentric self temptation of Act I give way to an agonizing conflict between the religiously constituted self and the aberrations of its human impulses. Faustus despairs in God, a despair that makes him continue his self indulgence for which the King of Devils provides the fascination and the means.
As despair leads to the self indulgent belief that divine providence as well as divine wrath cannot reach him, Faustus signs the pact with the devil giving away his soul in return for his services. The course of Faustus rebellion through the third and the fourth Acts is totally unheroic. Faustus seeks and Mephistopheles plans a series of comic indulgences mainly to distract the former's mind from the tormenting religious awareness. As Faustus reaches his rebellious and tragic death in Act V, the nature of his death and the attendant torment bespeaks a magnificent tragedy. The tragic conflict does not abate till the end.
The play is a static play of tragic irresolution. The play stagnates in the middle sections of the third and fourth Acts, so much so that it distracts the audience. Though loose in form and disjointed in its dramatic power, Doctor Faustus has huge appeal even in the 21st century.
Related Tags: article, writing, article writing, christian, paper, morality, theme, doctor, essay, essay writing, essay-papernet, faustus
The article was produced by the writer of Essay-Paper.net. Olivia Hunt is a 4-years experienced freelance writer of Essay Writing Service. Visit our website to buy custom essay. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- How To Sell Anything On Craigslist Whether You Own A Business Or Not
Did you know that craigslist is one word? Did you also know that it's not capitalized? The reason is - Directors' Vicarious Liability For Dishonor Of Company Cheque
In its landmark judgment in National Small Industries Corp. Ltd v. Harmeet Singh Paintal [2010], the - Letter's To God Book Review
'P.S. I think I'll write again tomorrow'While getting ready for his fishing trip Tyler remembered he - Kyocera Mita Fs-1030d / Fs-1030dn - Ecosys Low Total Cost Printer
The most unique thing about the Kyocera Mita FS-1030D / FS-1030dn is its ECOSYS "Cartridge free" pri - Self-motivation Encourages Us To Plan Our Goals And Helps.
Self-motivation adds excitement and enthusiasm into our lives and helps us face boldly all forms of - Matt Hustons Get Him Back Forever - Afraid Of Getting Caught?
Matt Huston's Get Him Back Forever provides a powerful plan that promises to help you not only to ge - Magic Of Making Up By Tw Jackson: A Short Review
If you're looking at buying the Magic of Making Up by TW Jackson, you want to make sure you're getti - A Book Review Of Preparing To Be A Help Meet
The best thing that comes in every woman's life is marriage. In addition, it is when two people fina - 5 Steps To Self Publishing Success
The economy was not so bad when I started thinking about self publishing my first book, Planting Des - To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter Summary - Chapter 11
Jem's Birthday and Mrs. Dubose:The day that follows the previous chapter's event is Jem's 12th birth
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Digital Photography eBook Review: Camera Dollars Income System
The "Camera Dollars Income System eBook" written by Brian Moore claims to contain everything you nee - Animals Rule in Children's Literature: Frogs and Caterpillars and Bears - Oh My!
From very hungry caterpillars and penguins for every day of the year to the Kingdom of Frogavia, ani - Used Book Stores
Many college bookstores allow students to sell their books back to the stores. These used bookstores - Book Review - Through the Storm by Sha' Givens
Mahogany Malone was named for her mother's favorite dancer, and one may argue that this teenage name - Good Starting Places in the Fantasy Genre
I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to my reading. I will deride and verbally mutilate anything o - Book Review: Fiasco by Thomas E. Ricks
Among the most illuminating, and hence the most damning recent volume about the war in Iraq is Fiasc - A Review on: "An Empire of Wealth"
Part III of the book "An Empire of Wealth", the emerging colossus, is being reviewed in this analysi - The Traveler - John Twelve Hawkes Review
There is a time and a place for nearly every style of literature out there. I find myself reading a - Book Review: State of Denial by Bob Woodward
The most recent addition to our understanding of our difficulties in Iraq, State of Denial by Waterg - A Review on Chapters 11 and 12 of "A People's History of the United States"
Before starting to take a look at its content, it is necessary to get familiar with the book's autho