Act 5 Scene 1 Flashcards
What is the Old Man a stock character of and what can be inferred in ‘guide they steps unto the way of life’?
Redeemer and he suggests to Faustus that he can offer him another path back to God
What device is used in ‘Break heart, drop blood, and mingle it with tears’?
The triplet of hers show how repentance must be defined by actions not just words. The Old Man tries to persuade Faustus to repent - last hope of salvation. ‘blood’ - Christian audience could see it as Christ’s love for humanity and promise of eternal life. Foil to F - accepts mortal punishment
How is Meph presented in ‘Mephistopheles gives him a dagger’?
As a machiavellian tempter - hopes Faustus will kill himself so he is beyond hope of salvation
What can be inferred about Faustus in ‘With greatest torments that out hell affords’ ?
Highlights his acceptance of damnation, he will join Meph and Lucifer as he has solidified his fate as he turns away from the Old Man. Parallels with ‘I think hell’s a fable’
What can be inferred through ‘Enter Helen’ and ‘the face that launched a thousand ships/And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?’ ?
Helen is actually a devil, further cealing Faustus’ eternal damnation and shows in life Helen caused a lot of destruction
What device is used in ‘Her lips suck forth my soul’?
The use of irony show how Faustus is distracted by magic. Link to witchcraft - relations with devils was deemed as a great sin so Faustus’ fate as damned is sealed as he is consumed by lusturious desires
What device is used in ‘fairer than the evening air’ ‘Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter’ and ‘More lovely than the monarch of the sky’ ?
The series of comparative adjectives represent Helen’s beauty as beyond compare.
