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British Drama
Notes Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Enumerate the characterization of the play Doctor Faustus;
• Illustrate that Doctor Faustus is the central character of the play;
• Describe that Doctor Faustus is a tragic hero with admirable aspirations;
• Examine that Doctor Faustus is a character with dual attitude;
• Elaborate that Doctor Faustus is an unholy and arrogant soul ;
• Explain that Doctor Faustus is a brilliant man.
Introduction
Christopher Marlowe based his play Doctor Faustus on stories about a scholar and magician, Johann
Faust, who allegedly sold his soul to the devil to gain magical powers. Born in 1488, the original
Faust wandered through his German homeland until his death in 1541. In 1587, the first story about
his life appeared in Germany, translated into English in 1592 as The History of the Damnable Life and
Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus. Scholars believe Marlowe heard or read the story of Johann
Faust and composed Doctor Faustus sometime between 1588 and 1592. Most critics believe that
Marlowe wrote the play’s tragic beginning and end, while his collaborators wrote much of the
comical middle sections. The character of Doctor Faustus and Demon so brilliantly depicted that
during the 17th century audiences believed that the devil actually appeared among them. This unit
elaborates the characterization of the play Doctor Faustus at length. More emphasis is given on the
analysis of the Doctor Faustus’ character.
13.1 Characterization of the Play—Character List
13.1.1 Faustus
A brilliant man, who seems to have reached the limits of natural knowledge. Faustus is a scholar of
the early sixteenth century in the German city of Wittenburg. He is arrogant, fiery, and possesses a
thirst for knowledge. As an intellectual, Faustus is familiar with things (like demon summoning
and astrology) not normally considered academic subjects by today’s universities. Faustus decides
to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for earthly power and knowledge and an additional 24 years
of life. He proceeds to waste this time on self-indulgence and low tricks.
Elucidate that Doctor Faustus is the absolute center of the play, which has few truly
developed characters.
13.1.2 Mephostophilis
From the Hebrew, mephitz, destroyer, and tophel, liar. A devil of craft and cunning. He is the devil
who comes at Faustus’ summoning, and the devil who serves Faustus for 24 years. In lore,
Mephostophilis (also spelled Mephistopheles, or Mephostophilis, and also called Mephisto) seems
to be a relative latecomer in the recognized hierarchy of demons. He possibly was created for the
Faustus legend.
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