Act 2 Scene 3 Flashcards
What can be inferred about ‘When I behold the heavens, then I repent’?
There is a shift in time as this is the first time we see Faustus since he signed the contract. The repetition of ‘repent’ shows a sense of genuine guilt and a desire to repent as he is in awe of ‘heaven’.
What can be inferred about ‘And curse thee, wicked Mephistopheles’?
There is an anagnorisis as Faustus realises Mephs true identity as a trickster. Juxtaposes 2:1 ‘sweet Meph’ - displays a changed relationship as he now knows the truth about Meph. Faustus now believes hell is real in contrast to ‘hell is a fable’.
What device is used in ‘My heart’s so hardened I cannot repent’?
Metaphor - his heart has become corrupted as he is no longer able to seek out repentance/unable to feel remorse - link to Calvinism
What device is used in ‘swords and knives/ Poison, guns, halters and envenomed steel/ Are laid before me to dispatch myself’ ?
The use of syndetic listing is used to emphasis his overwhelming desperation. Continues the motif of food/gluttony as he is still tempted by his desires for knowledge.
How can Marlowe’s education be linked to ‘Homer’ ‘Alexander’ and ‘Oenone’?
The use of figures from the classical world of Ancient Greece and Rome have likely been shaped by Marlowe’s own education as he would have attended a grammar school, a new type of educational environment where the curriculum was based on the teachings of the classical world.
What can be inferred by ‘Tell me who made the world’ and ‘I will not’?
The repetition of blunt monosyllabic language perhaps displays Meph as powerful due to his finality of his decision OR Meph as powerless as he is unable to answer question about God.
What can be inferred about Meph exiting the stage after Faustus’ questions?
Meph chooses to leave as he doesn’t want to answer any questions, he no longer cares about feeding into the demands of the tragic hero now he has signed the contract.
What device is used in ‘Ah, Christ, my saviour,/ Seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul!’ ?
The dramatic climax/peripetia shows Faustus’ first time directly calling for his soul to be saved - Calvinism, could already damned as when he asked to be redeemed he is meet with devils - god’s absence
What is continued in ‘O, this feeds my soul!’ ?
The motif of food/gluttony - Faustus as overreaching
What can be inferred through Faustus ‘(Taking the book)’?
The prop is symbolic of Faustus’ corruption as his noble pursuit of knowledge has been cheapened/broken down to the trickery of shapeshifting - symbolic of his transgression
