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Unit 11: Doctor Faustus: Plot Construction Including Detailed Analysis of Sub Plot and Theme

11.2 Plot Construction Notes

Doctor Faustus is a well-constructed play. In the opening of the play, the audience is given the
exposition: an explanation of the subject matter of this tragedy. Faustus the man is presented by the
chorus. In the first act, Faustus surveys different branches of knowledge and chooses to practice the
black arts. In this section of the play, Faustus has a foretaste of what magic can do for him when he
commands Mephistophilis to perform certain magical feats, with which the action rises.
The climax is reached in Act II, Scene 1, in which Faustus signs a pact with Lucifer. Following this
pact, the audience sees a series of demonstrations of Faustus’ magical powers. The action falls in
Act IV, in which Faustus as a magician is challenged by Benvolio, as well as Robin, Dick, the horse
dealer and other plebeians.
The outcome of the protagonist’s pact with the devil is seen in Act V. In this act the devils come and
carry Faustus away to hell. Faustus is perpetually damned. The Epilogue presents the moral of the
play. Men should not delve into forbidden territories. They should go only where “heaven permits”
one to tread.

Throughout the play the comic scenes parody Faustus’ magical feats, which are imitated
by the clown. They serve as a sub-plot that runs parallel to the main plot of the play.

Men should not delve into forbidden territories. They should go only where “heaven
permits” one to tread. Illustrate this statement in context of the play Doctor Faustsus.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Doctor Faustus is
(a) a talented German scholar
(b) a talented magician
(c) a shrewd deceit
(d) a victim of the plot of Lucifer.

2. Faustus curses Mephostophilis for
(a) refusing the service
(b) depriving him of heaven
(c) creating illusion in the Court of Charles V
(d) returning to his master Lucifer.
3. Doctor Faustus is a well constructed play, and in the opening of the play
(a) Faustus surveys different branches of knowledge
(b) Faustus has a foretaste of what magic can do for him
(c) the audience is given an explanation of the subject matter of this tragedy
(d) Faustus as a magician is challenged by Benvolio.

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