WHAT APECTS OF THE PLAY DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE GOTHIC AND WHAT DRAMATIC IMPACT DO THEY IMPART IN PERFORMANCE?
MAGIC AND THE SUPERNATURAL
within Dr Faustus, there is reference to Necromancy which is a factor that makes the play part of the Gothic genre. For example, he says ‘necromantic books are heavenly. Lines, circles, signs, letters and characters- ay, these are those that Faustus desires.’ Here, Faustus uses binary opposite when he describes magic as ‘heavenly’, this forwards the plot as we identify how Faustus is deceived by his want for power and knowledge. This is also evident in the quote ‘a sound magician is a mighty god’, this is symbolic portraying the protagonist as no longer a follower of Christ, but instead worshipping magic.
within Dr Faustus, there is reference to Necromancy which is a factor that makes the play part of the Gothic genre. For example, he says ‘necromantic books are heavenly. Lines, circles, signs, letters and characters- ay, these are those that Faustus desires.’ Here, Faustus uses binary opposite when he describes magic as ‘heavenly’, this forwards the plot as we identify how Faustus is deceived by his want for power and knowledge. This is also evident in the quote ‘a sound magician is a mighty god’, this is symbolic portraying the protagonist as no longer a follower of Christ, but instead worshipping magic.
DEATH
In Act 5, Scene 1 an Old Man is present, his role within this scene is extremely significant to the forwarding of the plot, as he informs Faustus that he can still repent and that God will save him if he does. Mephistopheles ironically represents the good in man when he says ‘His faith is great. I cannot touch his soul’ Faustus, however, continues to turn away from God and eventually sentences the Old Man to death, ‘Torment, sweet friend, that base and crooked age that durst dissuade me from thy Lucifer, with greatest torments that our hell affords’ His actions are reflective of that of the devils as Faustus does not show the man mercy but punishes him. The Old Man’s final words are ‘My faith, vile hell, shall triumph over thee’, as he is sure to ascend to heaven, juxtaposed with Faustus who is sure to be damned in Hell.
In Act 5, Scene 1 an Old Man is present, his role within this scene is extremely significant to the forwarding of the plot, as he informs Faustus that he can still repent and that God will save him if he does. Mephistopheles ironically represents the good in man when he says ‘His faith is great. I cannot touch his soul’ Faustus, however, continues to turn away from God and eventually sentences the Old Man to death, ‘Torment, sweet friend, that base and crooked age that durst dissuade me from thy Lucifer, with greatest torments that our hell affords’ His actions are reflective of that of the devils as Faustus does not show the man mercy but punishes him. The Old Man’s final words are ‘My faith, vile hell, shall triumph over thee’, as he is sure to ascend to heaven, juxtaposed with Faustus who is sure to be damned in Hell.
PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN
Another element of the Gothic genre is the portrayal of women, in Dr Faustus Marlowe sexualizes women and perceived them as dangerous creatures that will encourage the act of sin. In Act 4 the pregnant Duchess is presented as full of sexual desires, she tells Faustus ‘and, for I see your courteous intent to pleasure, I will not hide from you the thing my heart desires’ this is a stereotypical view that is very reflective of societies view of women, where women were not seen as equal to men. Furthermore, another female character named ‘Helen’ is introduced to the audience in Act 5. She is portrayed as a sexualized object and is used to show how Faustus want of desire possesses him.
Another element of the Gothic genre is the portrayal of women, in Dr Faustus Marlowe sexualizes women and perceived them as dangerous creatures that will encourage the act of sin. In Act 4 the pregnant Duchess is presented as full of sexual desires, she tells Faustus ‘and, for I see your courteous intent to pleasure, I will not hide from you the thing my heart desires’ this is a stereotypical view that is very reflective of societies view of women, where women were not seen as equal to men. Furthermore, another female character named ‘Helen’ is introduced to the audience in Act 5. She is portrayed as a sexualized object and is used to show how Faustus want of desire possesses him.
EXCESS
The Gothic also entails the protagonist wanting to gain an excess of something that is almost unattainable, in Faustus case he want to gain knowledge and power. The myth of Irenaus is used to highlight his overreaching ambition that leads him to his downfall. He says ‘I’ll have them fly to India for gold, Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, and search all corners of the new-found world’, this quote is important as it highlights a lack of limitations that will lead to his inevitable downfall. The seven deadly sins are a key theme to the Gothic; Faustus is first exposed to the sin of Pride, also known as Hubris in Greek, this is obvious when he says ‘A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit’ he’s shown to be arrogant and over confidence as he believes there must be more to learn; after this point in the play Faustus starts to use words reflective of the other deadly sins, including ‘glutted’ the sin of greed.
The Gothic also entails the protagonist wanting to gain an excess of something that is almost unattainable, in Faustus case he want to gain knowledge and power. The myth of Irenaus is used to highlight his overreaching ambition that leads him to his downfall. He says ‘I’ll have them fly to India for gold, Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, and search all corners of the new-found world’, this quote is important as it highlights a lack of limitations that will lead to his inevitable downfall. The seven deadly sins are a key theme to the Gothic; Faustus is first exposed to the sin of Pride, also known as Hubris in Greek, this is obvious when he says ‘A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit’ he’s shown to be arrogant and over confidence as he believes there must be more to learn; after this point in the play Faustus starts to use words reflective of the other deadly sins, including ‘glutted’ the sin of greed.
Well done again Becky. You have identified some key elements here. Also consider the dramatic impact part of the question because it is, after all, a drama and not a novel. This is a feature of the assessment. How would it have been received? How do we receive this text now? Does it still have power and relevance?
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