ACT ONE OF DOCTOR FAUSTUS

How does Marlowe explore the gothic themes of over-reaching ambition, sin and evil in the first Act of Dr Faustus?

In Dr Faustus, Marlowe explores various Gothic themes of both over-reaching ambition and sin and evil in Act 1. Within the prologue, Marlowe makes a comparison between Faustus and ‘Icarus’; a character in a classical Greek myth, telling the tale of humanity’s first disobedience towards God. After flying too near the sun, his wings made out of feathers and wax melts and causing him to plunge to his death, as a result of over ambition. Our initial thoughts on the protagonist are challenged to a certain extent in the first act, as Faustus begins to reject the disciplines in which he has so far excelled – law, theology, medicine and philosophy – declaring them all unrewarding compared with the potential power that necromancy can offer. He explains ‘signs, letters and characters – ay, these are those that Faustus most desires’

In Act 1, Scene 1, Marlowe explores the Gothic theme of sin and evil through the use of Binary opposition, describing ‘necromantic books’ as ‘heavenly’, this highlights how he begins to reject religion as objects associated with magic and witchcraft are repeatedly referred to throughout the play. There is a clear change in Marlowe’s choice of language; in Faustus soliloquy he uses religious terminology, he repeatedly speaks in Latin (the language of the church) which shows is reflective of his faith in God. However, as the scene goes on and we are introduced to Valdes and Cornelius, known as the ‘Vice Crew’ (another Greek device used to urge influence Faustus into turning against God), he less frequently speaks in Latin and Blasphemes against religion.   

Although Faustus is portrayed as an ‘everyman’ in the Medieval morality play, Marlowe highlights Faustus’ over-reaching ambitions and lack of limitations, ‘How I am glutted with conceit of this… shall I make spirits fetch me what I please’ The word ‘conceit’ is one of the seven deadly sins and is a Greek device also known as ‘Hubris’; an excess of pride that Faustus possesses. He is clearly dissatisfied with what he’s attained so far and is filled with a greedy desire by the thought of power, control and the want to achieve more. In continuation, the protagonist also reveals the extent of his ambitions, as he intends to ‘…chase the Prince of Parma from our land, and reign sole king of all provinces’, driven by the thought of control and power, wanting to become stronger than the kings; this is symbolic as it is just one example of him overreaching far beyond what is humanly possible or natural.

Marlowe writes in the form of dialectic language (an aural discussion between characters) when he uses allegorical characters of the ‘Good angel’ and ‘Bad angel’ to represent abstract qualities as they engage in a struggle for the soul of Faustus, who is the central human character in the play, this a traditional device used in Greek morality plays. The Evil Angel tempts and reminds Faustus of what he could gain through black magic, whilst the Good Angel warns him of the dangers of turning against good and religion, telling him to ‘lay that damnéd book aside and gaze not on it’

MEPHISTOPHELES

Mephistopheles (also Mephistophilus, Mephistophilis, Mephostopheles, Mephisto, Mephastophilis and variants) is a demon featured in German folklore. He originally appeared in literature as the demon in the Faust legend, and he has since appeared in other works as a stock character version of the Devil. In Doctor Faustus, Mephistopheles acts as a guide to Faustus. Mephistopheles is not only a speaker for the Devil, but he is also seen as a possible lover to the character. In the play, Faustus asks Mephistopheles for a wife and, when he returns, the woman is just a devil in disguise as a woman.

Here, Samuel Ramey plays Mephistopheles in Faust. His clothing follows a red colour scheme; this is symbolic as it shows his loyalty and connection to the devil. Red could also be suggestive of his ability to seduce, as we see in Doctor Faustus, he leads the protagonist atray, to turn from good and instead to sin.

 

DOCTOR FAUSTUS: THE PROLOGUE

The chorus acts like a narrator, introducing the prologue to the audience, a traditional device of Greek Tragedy where they comment on the action that is about to take place. Written in Iambic Pentameter, a device whereby the poet uses ten syllables per line, with every second syllable stressed, the prologue helps to outline Faustus characteristics as an everyday man, as although born into a family ‘base of stock’, he succeeds in studying divinity in Wittenburg, a famour university in Germany, and was ‘graced with Doctor’s name’ Binory opposites are also used to  contrasts elements of heaven and hell, as Faustus pride and success will lead to his downfall through practicing ‘necromancy’, black Magic, and ‘falling to a devilish exercise’ and ‘matters of theology’, referring to religion which is a key element of the Gothic. The words ‘his waxen wings’ refers to the myth of Icarus, and becomes a symbol of ‘hubrous’ (pride) and the danger of overreaching the limits of man. The final line of the poem, ‘this the man that in his study sits…’, highlights how a normal man is drawn in by the devil due to the sin of pride.

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

Although his birth date is unknown, records show that he was baptized on 26 February 1564 and so he was likely to have been born just a few days before. He attended Cambridge University in 1584, where he studied divinity and gained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Originally, the university was hesitant in awarding Marlowe his degree; surviving records provide evidence that he spent lengthy periods away from university, leading to allegations that he was in fact operating as secret agent.
Marlowe’s most popular work is his play, ‘The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Dr Faustus’. The play follows its protagonist, Dr Faustus, who is unable to repent and is punished by the devil. Two versions of Marlowe’s work have been found; the A text, 1604 and the B Text, 1616. Many believe that the A text shows similarities to Marlowe’s writing.
His arrest was issued on 18 May. He died on 30 May in a brawl, after being stabbed in the right eye which many believe was an assassination due to the circumstances surrounding his death; the three men with him at the time of his death were all connected to the secret service. Allegations of homosexuality and atheism surfaced after his death.

           

THE GOTHIC

The gothic is a genre of literature that aims to entertain through fear and horror. It was mostly unheard of until the 18^th Century, with a ‘second revival’ taking place in the 19^th Century; it takes inspiration from medieval cathedrals, churches and castles, with its features including pointed arches and ribbed vaults. ‘The crucial features of this style were ornateness, soaring perspectives – part of the Gothic preoccupation with the Sublime – and a kind of religious intensity’

Horace Walpole's novel, 'The Castle of Otranto', is considered to be the first Gothic text, with its Melodramatic and supernatural elements, helping to shape what we know understand as the Gothic.