Context & Writer's Techniques

Context in 'Doctor Faustus'

Christopher Marlowe: Life and Background

Early Life

• Born in 1564 in Canterbury, England.

• Attended King's School, Canterbury, and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

• Received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1584 and a Master of Arts degree in 1587. Career

• Became a prominent playwright in London during the late 16th century.

• He is known for his blank verse and overreaching protagonists.

• Works include "Tamburlaine," "The Jew of Malta," and "Edward II." Controversial Life

• Accused of atheism, which was a serious charge at the time.

• Involved in political intrigue and espionage.

• Mysteriously killed in a tavern brawl in 1593.

  

Christopher Marlowe

Relevance to "Doctor Faustus"

• Marlowe's own life of pushing boundaries is reflected in the character of Faustus.
• His education and exposure to Renaissance humanism influenced the themes of knowledge and power in the play.

History of "Doctor Faustus"

Writing and Performance

• Written circa 1592.

• First performed in 1594 by the Admiral's Men. Reception

• Initially, it was received with mixed reactions due to its controversial subject matter.

• Over time, it gained recognition for its profound exploration of ambition and damnation. Performance History

• Frequently performed throughout the 17th century.

• Remained popular in various adaptations, influencing later interpretations of the Faust legend.

Literary Contexts

Genre of the Play

• Tragedy:

• Classified as a tragedy due to the protagonist's downfall.

• Blends elements of morality play with classical tragedy.

• Morality Play Influence:

• Draws on medieval morality plays, which teach moral lessons through allegorical characters. Historical and Political Context

• Renaissance Era:

• Reflects the Renaissance spirit of inquiry and the conflict between medieval and modern values.

• Set against the backdrop of religious and scientific upheavals. Cultural and Social Context

• Renaissance Humanism:

• Emphasizes human potential and the quest for knowledge.

• Faustus embodies the Renaissance man seeking unlimited knowledge and power.

• Social Hierarchy:

• Highlights the tension between the emerging middle class and traditional aristocracy.

• Faustus' ambition to transcend his social position is central to the plot. Philosophical Context

• Humanism vs. Medieval Scholasticism:

• Contrasts the new humanist values with the old scholastic traditions.

• Faustus rejects traditional forms of knowledge in pursuit of individual power. Religious Context

• Protestant Reformation:

• Written during a time of significant religious change in England.

• The play's themes of sin, redemption, and damnation reflect contemporary religious debates.

• Christian Doctrine:

• Explores themes of repentance and salvation, central to Christian belief.

• Faustus' ultimate damnation serves as a cautionary tale against hubris and blasphemy.

Useful Contextual Concepts

• Renaissance Humanism: Understand the emphasis on human potential and the pursuit of knowledge.
• Morality Plays: Recognize the influence of medieval morality plays on the structure and themes.
• Protestant Reformation: Be aware of the religious context and its impact on the play's themes.
• Tragic Hero: Familiarize with the concept of a tragic hero, whose flaws lead to their downfall.
• Allegory: Look for allegorical elements that convey moral and philosophical messages.

Writer's Techniques in 'Doctor Faustus'

Tragedy and Morality Play Elements

Morality Play Structure

• Marlowe integrates elements of the morality play, a genre popular in medieval England, to deliver a moral lesson. The central character, Faustus, represents Everyman, and his journey explores themes of sin, redemption, and damnation.

• Example: The Good Angel and the Evil Angel who appear to Faustus symbolize his internal struggle between repentance and damnation, echoing the didactic nature of morality plays. Tragic Hero

• Faustus is portrayed as a tragic hero whose hubris and insatiable quest for knowledge and power lead to his downfall. His character embodies the Renaissance spirit of inquiry and ambition, but also the consequences of overreaching.

• Example: Faustus's initial grand aspirations, such as gaining infinite knowledge and power, set the stage for his tragic fall when he ultimately succumbs to despair and eternal damnation.

Use of Language and Rhetoric

Blank Verse

• Marlowe's use of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) elevates the language and lends a grand, formal quality to Faustus's speeches, reflecting his lofty ambitions and tragic stature.

• Example: Faustus's soliloquies are notable for their rhetorical flourish and use of classical references, which highlight his learned background and the high stakes of his internal conflict. Latin and Classical References

• The play is replete with Latin phrases and allusions to classical mythology, philosophy, and literature, which underscore Faustus's education and the Renaissance emphasis on classical learning.

• Example: Faustus's invocation of "Homer's Iliad" and other classical texts reflects his scholarly pursuits and his desire to transcend human limitations through forbidden knowledge.

Symbolism and Allegory

The Contract with Lucifer

• The contract Faustus signs with his blood is a powerful symbol of his irrevocable commitment to the devil and his willing renunciation of his soul for temporal gains.

• Example: The act of signing the contract is symbolic of Faustus's ultimate choice of damnation over salvation, highlighting the irreversible nature of his pact with Lucifer. The Seven Deadly Sins

• The appearance of the Seven Deadly Sins personified serves as an allegory for Faustus's internal moral corruption and the spiritual consequences of his actions.

• Example: The parade of the sins in front of Faustus not only entertains but also reminds the audience of the moral consequences of succumbing to vice.

Themes of Knowledge and Power

Renaissance Humanism

• The play explores the Renaissance tension between the quest for knowledge and the moral and spiritual boundaries set by religion. Faustus embodies the humanist ideal of the pursuit of knowledge but also its potential to lead to hubris and downfall.

• Example: Faustus's insatiable desire for knowledge reflects the Renaissance spirit, but his disregard for the moral implications of his quest ultimately leads to his tragic end. The Limits of Human Power

• Faustus's ultimate realization of the limits of his power and knowledge underscores the theme of human limitation and the dangers of overreaching.

• Example: Despite his magical abilities, Faustus cannot alter his fate or escape damnation, illustrating the inherent limitations of human endeavour against divine judgment.

Use of Comic Relief

Comic Scenes

• Marlowe includes comic scenes featuring characters like Wagner and the Clown, which serve to provide relief from the play's intense themes and highlight the folly of Faustus's ambitions in a more light-hearted context.

• Example: The comedic summoning of Mephistopheles by Wagner and the antics of the Clown provide a satirical counterpoint to Faustus's serious and tragic dealings with the devil. Parodic Elements

• The comic scenes often parody the main plot, emphasizing the absurdity of Faustus's ambitions and the ultimate futility of his quest for power.

• Example: The lowly characters' attempts to use magic for trivial purposes contrast sharply with Faustus's grandiose goals, underscoring the play's theme of the misuse of knowledge and power.

Dramatic Irony

Audience's Awareness

• Marlowe employs dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of Faustus's impending doom long before he acknowledges it himself. This creates a sense of inevitability and heightens the tragic tension.

• Example: The audience knows from early on that Faustus's deal with the devil will lead to his damnation, while Faustus continues to delude himself with hopes of repentance and salvation. Foreshadowing

• The play frequently uses foreshadowing to hint at Faustus's tragic end, creating a sense of anticipation and dread.

• Example: Early warnings from the Good Angel and the Old Man about the consequences of his pact with Lucifer foreshadow Faustus's eventual damnation, adding to the dramatic tension.