2:1 + 2 Faustus Quotes Analysis

Question 1

what is the significance of Faustus once again being staged in his study at the start at Act 2?

Answer 1

mirrors his soliloquy and uncertainty, presented as isolated due to his obsession with magic

Question 2

must thou needs be damned and canst thou not be saved

Answer 2

questioning tone reflects conflict and uncertainty, Calvinistic views

Question 3

Beelzebub. to him I’ll build an altar and a church

Answer 3

blasphemous and twisted, subversion of religion

Question 4

think of heaven and heavenly things… think of honour and wealth

Answer 4

stichomythia between good and evil angel reflects warring conscience and the evil angel having spoken last is to further the manipulation of Faustus

Question 5

Faustus repeating the evil angel: of honour and wealth

Answer 5

robotic repetition shows him blindly following/ being persuaded

Question 6

my blood congeals

Answer 6

physical aversion shows his actions are unnatural and defying God, warning from his own body

Question 7

(Aside) O, what will I not do to obtain his soul

Answer 7

Mephistopheles’ true feelings and nature as a devil

Question 8

consummatum est

Answer 8

subversion of the language of Christ is heretical, also alludes to tragedy/ suffering/ sacrifice as his fate is sealed, no room for repentance

Question 9

homo fuge (appears on his arm)

Answer 9

Faustus entering a panicked state as he is bewildered, reality of the permanence and inescapability of his fate hitting him + allusion to Icarus, tragic consequences

Question 10

(Aside) I’ll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind

Answer 10

Mephistopheles as duplicitous, cunning, villainous, tempting Faustus with instant gratification

Question 11

then there’s enough for a thousand souls

Answer 11

failure to understand the importance of a soul again, shows Faustus’ lack of knowledge about divinity that he claimed to possess whilst rejecting all the academic disciplines

Question 12

hell’s a fable

Answer 12

Faustus either in denial or just ignorant/ foolish

Question 13

fairest maid in Germany

Answer 13

mirrors Robin and the pursuit of base desires, Faustus as superficial and foolish, undermining his previous noble aims and finalising his corruption

Question 14

I am wanton and lascivious

Answer 14

previously wanted glory and knowledge, wants to satiate his sexual desires, shows he is fickle

Question 15

i can make thee drunk… for nothing

Answer 15

Robin believes there is no price to his actions but he is mistaken, reminds us of Faustus who proposes to indulge himself in sensual and intellectual pleasures while seemingly dismissing the fact that a reckoning will have to be made

Question 16

now I will make all the maidens in our parish dance at my pleasure stark naked before me

Answer 16

parallels Faustus presenting him as clownlike

Question 17

here I ha’ sol’n one of Doctor Faustus’ conjuring books

Answer 17

ought to be a province of scholars, shows how anyone can do it