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Eduqas A Level English Literature Component 2: Drama| 'Enron' by Lucy Prebble and 'Dr Faustus' by Christopher Marlowe| Revision Bundle, Everything You Need To KnowR178,03
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Eduqas A Level English Literature Component 2: Drama| 'Enron' by Lucy Prebble and 'Dr Faustus' by Christopher Marlowe| Revision Bundle, Everything You Need To Know
This document consists of all the knowledge needed for in Paper 2 Eduqas English Literature A Level for Lucy Prebble's 'Enron' and Christopher Marlow's 'Dr Faustus'. It covers all of the AOs required for this essay, including summaries, context, critics, quotes, analysis of quotes, topic sentences,...
DOCTOR FAUSTUS - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
a01 a02 a03 a04 a05
10 marks 10 marks 10 marks 20 marks 10 marks
Organise responses in a clear Analyse how meaning is shaped Show understanding of the Explore connections across Reflect on different
and effective academic style and in drama text through the use of cultural and contextual drama texts. interpretations of literary texts,
register with coherent written language, dramatic devices, influences on readers and including, where relevant,
expression. verse form and structure. writers. critical interpretation; debate
Accurate quotations and Identify and consider how alternative ideas about a text
references to text and sources. attitudes and values are and consider multiple readings.
expressed in texts.
Plot:
Dr John Fausauts lives in Germany. He is a brilliant scholar that feels as if he has reached the limits of human understanding and the only remaining branch of learning that
excites him is necromancy, which refers to the conjuring of spirits. To fulfil this, he contracts to sell his soul to Mephastophilis, an emissary of the devil in exchange for a life of
luxury, magic power and knowledge of the secrets of the universe. However, Faustus fails to notice the limitations of the Devil’s expertise and his time is limited to 24 years.
Faustus’ servant, Wagner joins the conjuring at a lower level of skill and in spite of some spiritual doubts, Faustus preserves his commitment to deny God.
In the middle, there are scenes of magic and doubt. Faustus’ 24 years pass with little narrative or achievement, shown by the increasingly dubious magic tricks. Mephistopheles
provides Faustus with intellectual, physical and theatrical pleasures such as through a parade of the seven deadly sins, playing practical jokes on the Pope and slapstick scenes
with servants and ostlers.
At the end, Faustus is in Wittenberg again to show his old friends a vision of Helen of Troy. In this time, an old man appears to offer Faustus repentance, which Faustus does not
accept and persists with his devilish contract. His last night on Earth passes in a speech of anguish and longing, before he is dragged screaming to hell.
Potential themes:
- Comedy - Greed - Morality
- Power - Extent of intellectual curiosity - Tragic heroes
- Change - Materialism - Extent of responsibility (fate vs free will)
- Risk - Good vs evil - ‘’ (protagonist vs sidekick)
- Magic - Ambition - Extent of sympathy
- Temptation - Inner conflict - Pride
- Redemption - Education - Conflict
- Religion - Consequences of rebellion - Appearance vs reality
, SCENE BY SCENE ANALYSIS
Scene Summary General context Characters
Prologue This is a theatrical device to comment on Chorus - a dramatic tradition in Greek https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/doctorf
action/introduce ideas/fill in the audience Tragedy, introducing key themes and the austus/characters/
on what has happened. It sets Faustus’ back-stories of certain characters. The Chorus - played by Wagner
backstory as being born to lowly parents Chorus often represents a more objective Faustus - presented as iconoclast,
in Rhode, moving to Wittenburg to live view, whilst taking on the role of a challenges the status quo
with Kinsmen and being educated in a commentator, informing the audience
famous German university. Then, it about the narrative’s characters and
describes Faustus as being famous for events. It can also describe any
theological matters before bringing us to intervening action since the previous
the present day of Faustus being seated in scene which has not been staged. The
his study. Chorus is very effective in helping to
divide the play into acts. The Chorus
often interpest the action for the
audience, clarifying the main ideas. In
Faustus, the Chorus appears not just in
the prologue and epilogue but in a2s3
and a3s3. Originally, it was played by an
actor or group but Marlowe integrates
the role and many productions have
Wagner play the part.
Wittenberg - This is the oldest university
town and is known to be a place where
ideas were challenged. Martin Luther was
a protestant, who pinned his articles of
faith and criticism of the catholic church.
Wittenburg is known for its
nontraditional ways of thinking that
contrast with the valuers of the
renaissance period.
Quote Analysis/links to Enron Context/critics
‘Not..Nor..Nor’ Faustus is stating what the play will not Marlowe is also comparing the plot to his
be about. other plays to emphasise the fact it is
It reflects the discounting nature of the something the audience will have never
language in a1s1, where Faustus turns seen before. This can be due to many
, down different branches of intellect reasons such as wanting to implement
before turning to necromancy. his newfound knowledge of theological
debates learnt at Cambridge into his
writing, or the pressure for new ideas and
competition with other playwrights
(Thomas Kyd) with the rapid growth of
theatre, to present a case study of the
consequences of blasphemy reflecting
the religious attitudes of the time or the
opposite in proposing necromancy as a
new idea with the rise of Renaissance.
‘Marching in the fields of Trasimene is a lake where Hannibal
Trasimene/Where Mars did mate the defeated the Romans in 217 BC, Mars is
warlike Carthagens..Nor in the pomp of the Roman God of war, an ancient battle
proud, audacious deeds.’ took place in Carthage.
Classical and mediaeval literature
typically focuses on the lives of saints,
kings and heroes but this is different to
reflect the renaissance period, where an
ordinary man is just as worthy of having
his story told than a king or scholar.
‘Form of Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad’ The value of his fortunes can be open to Sets up the morality play debate that
interpretation. presents the conflict of opposed powers
for the soul of man. They intend to
celebrate the truth of the Christian
message by showing stories of a
protagonist being tempted and
transgressed but then repents and is
redeemed.
‘Born to parents base of stock’ His achievements off his own back, Faustus’ ‘humble beginnings’ reflect that
makes the audience gain an initial of Marlowe. Faustus’ journey from being
respect towards Faustus as we are poor to successful can reflect that of
introduced to his achievements, such as Marlowe's father, who was a
being ‘grac’d with doctor’s name’ and hard-working and ambitious cobbler that
‘excelling all’, illustrating his vast set up his own establishment in
intellectual knowledge. However, this footwear. Despite differing opinions,
can explain his hubristic and narcissistic Marlowe’s father’s success was genuine
persona (‘swollen with cunning of a and derived from hard work, where
, self-conceit’) whilst also heightening his Faustus’ efforts were impulsive and
success to create a greater emphasis on frivolous.
his subsequent downfall.
‘His waxen wings did mount above his A metaphor, relating to the idea that This quote is allegorical to the myth of
reach.’ Faustus thought so highly of himself that Icarus. Icarus was the son of Daedalus,
he got too close to a dangerous point and who was punished for a separate
fate will teach him a lesson by melting indiscretion. Daedalus created an escape
his wings and punishing him. This route by air with his son, made ‘waxen
foreshadows the ending of the play. wings’ for him but told him not to fly too
close to the sun as they’ll melt. Icarus got
so excited that he flew too close to the
sun, they melted and he fell into the
ocean.
Suggesting the ending of the play in the
prologue may be surprising to a modern
audience, but to a Jacobean audience they
would already be aware of the Faust
legend and its ending. This emphasises
the significance of Marlowe having to
curate his play in a way that still engages
and challenges the audience.
Scene Summary General context Characters
Act 1, scene 1 The majority of this act is in the form of a
long soliloquy, where Faustus is reflecting
on his work as a scholar. He disputes
them and turns to his servant Wagner to
bring people to help him learn the art of
magic.
Quote Analysis/links to Enron Context/critics
Faustus is convincing himself/the ‘Aristotle’s sweet analytics’ Rejects the study of logical and In many productions, procedures have
audience that completed all academic ‘Bene dissere est finis logices / Is to philosophical reasoning because arguing Faustus throwing down
routes and possesses all knowledge he dispute well logic’s chiefest end?’ - to well is the end of logic so Faustus feels philosophical/medical/legal and religious
needs to know. He does so by rejecting argue well is the end of logic. this is not much of an achievement and tomes as a physical and dramatic
the work of Greek philosophers, setting has done all he can. representation of his rejection of the
aside old authorities and striking out on ideas they contain. Faustus is presented
his own quest to become powerful ‘Galen’s study of medicine.’ He has helped people escape the plague as a tragic hero, over a villain, referring to
through necromancy. ‘Ubi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit and has cured diseases but he is still just a a flaw leading to a downfall. It alludes to
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