This document provides concise and insightful summaries of prominent plays from the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, featuring notable works such as "Doctor Faustus," "Macbeth," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Duchess of Malfi," and "Volpone." Each summary encapsulates the key elements of the respecti...
Doctor Faustus
The play starts with Faustus deciding what to study next. He's already really good at many things like logic,
medicine, law, and religion, but none of them make him happy. He thinks about it for a while and decides
to study magic, even though he knows it's not a good idea. Faustus is sure that studying magic will bring
him special benefits. He sends his servant Wagner to get his friends Valdes and Cornelius so he can talk to
them and make a final decision.
Although Faustus feels guilty about choosing dark magic, he ignores his conscience because he really wants
power and control. His ambition to have a lot of authority is so strong that he doesn't listen to his
conscience, which is like an inner voice telling him what's right or wrong.
So, Faustus, guided by his friends who care a lot about material things, decides to become an expert in
magic. He's obsessed with the idea of ruling the world and doesn't care about what his conscience or
university friends say.
Faustus calls Mephistopheles, who appears as a Friar. They have a straight talk, and Faustus agrees to give
his soul to Lucifer in exchange for Mephistopheles' services for 24 years. Lucifer is eager and accepts the
deal. They sign a contract, and Faustus agrees to go to hell after enjoying Mephistopheles' help.
Now, Faustus starts using his magical powers. He reads magic books, gains knowledge, and learns dark
magic. Even though his conscience warns him, he doesn't listen. Faustus is too caught up in the devil's
power, and he sticks to his decision.
With Mephistopheles' help, Faustus travels easily and does amazing magic. He goes to Rome and causes
trouble during a feast. He also responds to the German Emperor's invitations. Faustus summons the spirits
of Alexander the Great and his lover. At the same time, he punishes a knight who was bothering him during
a meeting with the Emperor.
Faustus does more magic tricks. He goes to the palace of the Duke of Vaunholt and impresses the Duchess
by bringing her tasty grapes, even in winter. The Duke is happy and gives Faustus nice gifts.
But, as the promised 24 years pass, Faustus starts feeling sad because his time with magical powers is
ending. Finally, the dreadful moment arrives: when the clock strikes twelve, crying Faustus is taken to hell
by devils. His wishes and cries don't help. The once-great man, Faustus, is damned forever because of his
desire for dark knowledge and unauthorized power.
Doctor Faustus Analysis
The play starts with Faustus thinking about what to study. He wants to become famous and powerful.
Faustus looks at different subjects like logic, medicine, law, and religion, but he doesn't like any of them.
Finally, he decides to study dark magic, called necromancy, because he believes it will give him a lot of
power and control.
This beginning part of the play is called the Exposition. It shows how Faustus is starting on a path that will
lead to his downfall and damnation.
Act 1, Scene 1 and Scene 2 Faustus Chooses Dark Magic: Faustus decides on what to study, and he picks
dark magic. He doesn't listen to any warnings or care about his conscience. He agrees to a deal with
, 2
Lucifer, signing a contract. The deal is that he gets Mephistopheles' service for 24 years, and after that, his
soul belongs to Lucifer.
Act 1, Scene 3 to Act 2, Scene 1 Faustus Does Amazing Magic: Faustus becomes really good at magic with
Mephistopheles' help. He does incredible things to get praise and a good reputation. He travels to different
places and shows off his magical skills. First, he goes to Rome and plays tricks on the Pope. Then, he's
invited by the Emperor of Germany, where he amazes everyone by bringing back spirits like Alexander the
Great. Faustus also makes fun of a knight who made fun of his magic. Later, he goes to the Duke of
Vaunholt's court, where he impresses the Duchess by bringing her delicious grapes.
This part of the story shows how Faustus becomes famous by doing impressive magic in various important
places.
Act 2, Scene 2 to Act 4, Scene 3 Faustus's Sad Ending: Time passes, and the 24 years Faustus got for his deal
are almost over. He starts feeling really bad and is filled with despair. As the final hour approaches, he gets
nervous and scared. Devils show up to take his soul to hell, and he cries out in sadness.
This is the sad and tragic part of the story, called the Catastrophe, where Faustus meets a gloomy end as
the devils take him to Hell.
Act 5 The Lesson at the End: In the last part of the play, the chorus talks about the importance of being
careful in how we live and what we aim for. It's like a moral lesson at the end, reminding us to be careful
with our actions and ambitions.
So, the play ends with a warning about being wise in our choices and behaviour.
Doctor Faustus Title
Marlowe usually names his plays after the main character, and Doctor Faustus is no different. Other
examples of this are Tamburlaine, The Jew of Malta, and Edward the Second. Even his incomplete play, The
Tragedy of Dido, Queen of Carthage, is named after the main character.
In Doctor Faustus, the title follows the same pattern. The play revolves around the main character, Faustus.
Just like in Tamburlaine and The Jew of Malta, Faustus is the central figure who drives the story and
captures the emotions of the tragedy.
Marlowe's play is based on the English translation of a German story called Faustbuch, which tells the tale
of Faustus's life, his attraction to power and fame, and his inevitable damnation. The entire focus of
Marlowe's play is on Faustus.
In the play, Faustus is the key character from the beginning when he's deciding what to study until the end
when he's dragged to hell by devils. Except for Mephistopheles, other characters are not as important and
play minor roles in the story.
So, the perfect title for this play is Doctor Faustus because the whole story revolves around him.
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