Playwright: Christopher Marlowe
Genre: Tragedy
Era: Renaissance
Setting: 16th Century Europe
Published: 1604 by Valentine Summers for Thomas Law
The tragically history of the life and death of Doctor Faustus (commonly known just as Doctor Faustus) is the most controversial play written during the Elizabethan era- besides Shakespearian plays. The story is believed to be based on a famous German legend: "Faust!” The plays experemts moral expectations, and makes the audience wonder about Doctor Faustus' mental state. Also the play consists of satanic beliefs, for example: hell, necromancy, devils, demons and the personification of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Characters:
Faustus: A lonely individual, who's obsessed with knowledge in religion and necromancy. However he is so obsessed he has offered his soul to the devil in exchange for unlimited knowledge, and complete control over one of the Arch Angles, Mephistopheles.
Wagner (known as Murdock in our adaption): Faustus' servant but used to be his fellow companion. Murdock's is the closest person Faustus has, and Murdock worries about Faustus' sanity and wellbeing, he tries to help him however gives up.
Valdes and Cornelius: Famous necromancies. They teach Faustus about, they foresee great power in Faustus but they worry that will become reckless with his new powers, but don't bother to warn him.
Mephistopheles: One of the Search devils, he gets summoned Faustus. He is just a servant to the devil, he may seem bad but he does try to mean good.
Good and Bad angel: They are part of Faustus' imagination. They try to persuade Faustus to do good or bad actions.
Lucifer: The devil.
Scholars: they are scholars amazed by Faustus' power
Synopsis:
Faustus craves for more power so he calls Valdes and Cornelius to teach him necromancy. He learns the power to summon Mephistopheles and makes a deal with the devil which is to give his soul as a gift to Lucifer, so he can have unlimited knowledge and have Mephistopheles as his slave. After almost 24 years Faustus comes back to his hometown and shows off his powers, however his time runs out and he is witnessed being dragged to hell by demons.
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