Page 140 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes Before the time comes to sign the contract, Faustus has misgivings, but he puts them aside.
Mephistophilis returns and Faustus signs away his soul, writing with his own blood. The words
“Homo fuge” (“Fly, man) appear on his arm, and Faustus is seized by fear. Mephistophilis distracts
him with a dance of devils. Faustus requests a wife, a demand Mephostophilis denies, but he does
give Faustus books full of knowledge.
Some time has passed. Faustus curses Mephostophilis for depriving him of heaven, although he
has seen many wonders. He manages to torment Mephostophilis, he can’t stomach mention of God,
and the devil flees. The Good Angel and Evil Angel arrive again. The Good Angel tells him to
repent, and the Evil Angel tells him to stick to his wicked ways. Lucifer, Belzebub, and Mephostophilis
return, to intimidate Faustus. He is cowed by them, and agrees to speak and think no more of God.
They delight him with a pageant of the Seven Deadly Sins, and then Lucifer promises to show
Faustus hell. Meanwhile, Robin the Clown has gotten one of Faustus’ magic books.
Faustus has explored the heavens and the earth from a chariot drawn by dragons, and is now flying
to Rome, where the feast honoring St. Peter is about to be celebrated. Mephostophilis and Faustus
wait for the Pope, depicted as an arrogant, decidedly unholy man. They play a series of tricks, by
using magic to disguise themselves and make themselves invisible, before leaving.
The Chorus returns to tell us that Faustus returns home, where his vast knowledge of astronomy and
his abilities earn him wide renown. Meanwhile, Robin the Clown has also learned magic, and uses it
to impress his friend Rafe and summon Mephostophilis, who doesn’t seem too happy to be called.
At the court of Charles V, Faustus performs illusions that delight the Emperor. He also humiliates a
knight named Benvolio. When Benvolio and his friends try to avenge the humiliation, Faustus has
his devils hurt them and cruelly transform them, so that horns grow on their heads.
Faustus swindles a Horse-courser, and when the Horse-courser returns, Faustus plays a frightening
trick on him. Faustus then goes off to serve the Duke of Vanholt. Robin the Clown, his friend Dick,
the Horse-courser, and a Carter all meet. They all have been swindled or hurt by Faustus’ magic.
They go off to the court of the Duke to settle scores with Faustus.
Faustus entertains the Duke and Duchess with petty illusions, before Robin the Clown and his band
of ruffians arrives. Faustus toys with them, besting them with magic, to the delight of the Duke and
Duchess.
Faustus’ twenty-four years are running out. Wagner tells the audience that he thinks Faustus prepares
for death. He has made his will, leaving all to Wagner. But even as death approaches, Faustus
spends his days feasting and drinking with the other students. For the delight of his fellow scholars,
Faustus summons a spirit to take the shape of Helen of Troy. Later, an Old Man enters, warning
Faustus to repent. Faustus opts for pleasure instead, and asks Mephostophilis to bring Helen of
Troy to him, to be his love and comfort during these last days. Mephostophilis readily agrees.
Later, Faustus tells his scholar friends that he is damned, and that his power came at the price of his
soul. As the hour approaches, Mephostophilis taunts Faustus. Faustus blames Mephostophilis for
his damnation, and the devil proudly takes credit for it. The Good and Evil Angel arrive, and the
Good Angel abandons Faustus. The gates of Hell open. The Evil Angel taunts Faustus, naming the
horrible tortures seen there.
The Clock strikes eleven. Faustus gives a final, frenzied monologue, regretting his choices. At
midnight the devils enter. As Faustus begs God and the devil for mercy, the devils drag him away.
Later, the Scholar friends find Faustus’ body, torn to pieces.

The chorus emphasizes that Faustus is gone, his once-great potential wasted. The chorus
warns the audience to remember his fall, and the lessons it offers.

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