Christopher Marlowe Flashcards
What was Marlowe’s upbringing?
Son of a Shoemaker
Where/When did he go to school?
At 15, attended King’s School in Canterbury: heavily classical education
When was the first performance of Doctor Faustus?
1592-1594
What is the difference between Text A and Text B?
1604 – A Text
1616 – B Text (enlarged and altered)
The B text probably has some additions by other authors.
Which translation do scholars believe his comes from?
Some scholars believe that Marlowe developed the story from a popular 1592 translation, commonly called The English Faust Book.
- There is thought to have been an earlier, lost, German edition of 1587, which itself may have been influenced by even earlier, equally unpreserved pamphlets in Latin.
Characters
Chorus Doctor John Faustus Wagner Good Angel Bad Angel Valdes and Cornelius Mephistopheles Robin, the Clown Rafe Seven Deadly Sins Pope and Cardinals Charles V, Emperor of Germany Alexander the Great Helen of Troy
What is interesting about the structure of this play?
Episodic, allows for addition and removal of scenes
What do all three of Marlowe’s major plays have in common?
Heroes who seek power
What is Faustus’ nationality?
German
What are some memorable things Faustus does with his power?
- Summons Helen of Troy
- Antagonizes the Pope
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Where does Faustus study?
Wittenburg
What are some big questions explored in the play?
- What form should knowledge take?
- What is the nature of true power?
- Should we believe in fate or free will?
What religious “hot-button” issue was being discussed at the time of the play’s writing?
Calvinism, or pre-destination. Faustus eventually concludes that he was always going to be damned.
Who provides the comic relief in this play?
Rafe and Robin, who blunderingly try to use Faustus’s books of magic. We might compare to the more seamless integration of high and low in Shakespeare’s comedy.
How many years does Faustus trade his soul for?
24
