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Questions and Answers
What motivates Doctor Faustus to pursue magic?
What motivates Doctor Faustus to pursue magic?
- The advice of the two scholars
- Feeling that he has exhausted traditional studies (correct)
- His interest in learning about hell and its devils
- The encouragement from the Good Angel
Who tries to dissuade Faustus from practicing unholy magic?
Who tries to dissuade Faustus from practicing unholy magic?
- Cornelius
- Valdes
- The Good Angel (correct)
- Mephastophilis
What do the two scholars lament about Faustus' behavior?
What do the two scholars lament about Faustus' behavior?
- His interest in magic (correct)
- His kindness towards others
- His lack of ambition
- His desire for a simple life
Who informs Faustus that he can do nothing not commanded by Lucifer?
Who informs Faustus that he can do nothing not commanded by Lucifer?
What does Faustus offer to Lucifer in exchange for unlimited power and knowledge?
What does Faustus offer to Lucifer in exchange for unlimited power and knowledge?
Who does Faustus summon by casting spells?
Who does Faustus summon by casting spells?
What is the initial reaction of Mephastophilis when Faustus summons him?
What is the initial reaction of Mephastophilis when Faustus summons him?
What happens to the horse-courser when he rides Faustus' horse into a pond?
What happens to the horse-courser when he rides Faustus' horse into a pond?
What body part of Faustus comes off when the horse-courser tries to wake him up?
What body part of Faustus comes off when the horse-courser tries to wake him up?
What request does the Duchess make to Faustus at the Duke's court?
What request does the Duchess make to Faustus at the Duke's court?
Why does Faustus ask Mephastophilis to send demons after an old man?
Why does Faustus ask Mephastophilis to send demons after an old man?
What does Faustus ask Mephastophilis to do with Helen of Greece?
What does Faustus ask Mephastophilis to do with Helen of Greece?
Why do the group of scholars pray for Faustus' soul as his death nears?
Why do the group of scholars pray for Faustus' soul as his death nears?
"One drop of Christ's blood" could save Faustus from his impending doom. What does this statement reveal about Faustus?
"One drop of Christ's blood" could save Faustus from his impending doom. What does this statement reveal about Faustus?
What does Faustus try to bargain with God for in exchange for his salvation?
What does Faustus try to bargain with God for in exchange for his salvation?
What happens to Faustus as soon as the clock strikes midnight?
What happens to Faustus as soon as the clock strikes midnight?
What is the moral lesson that the chorus delivers at the end of the play?
What is the moral lesson that the chorus delivers at the end of the play?
Why does Faustus struggle with repentance as his death approaches?
Why does Faustus struggle with repentance as his death approaches?
What does Faustus hesitate about in his study?
What does Faustus hesitate about in his study?
Why does Faustus sign the agreement with Lucifer in his own blood?
Why does Faustus sign the agreement with Lucifer in his own blood?
Who does Faustus want Mephastophilis to summon for him?
Who does Faustus want Mephastophilis to summon for him?
What makes Faustus want to repent again?
What makes Faustus want to repent again?
Why is Mephastophilis frustrated when summoned by Robin and Rafe?
Why is Mephastophilis frustrated when summoned by Robin and Rafe?
What makes Charles V uncomfortable during Faustus' visit to his court?
What makes Charles V uncomfortable during Faustus' visit to his court?
What does Faustus repay the knight's rudeness with?
What does Faustus repay the knight's rudeness with?
"Renewing his resolve to give his soul to Lucifer" occurs after Faustus ________.
"Renewing his resolve to give his soul to Lucifer" occurs after Faustus ________.
Who is the devil Faustus summons when he first tries necromancy?
Who is the devil Faustus summons when he first tries necromancy?
Where does Doctor Faustus live?
Where does Doctor Faustus live?
Who is Faustus's student and servant in the play?
Who is Faustus's student and servant in the play?
Which character does not sell their soul to Lucifer in the play?
Which character does not sell their soul to Lucifer in the play?
Who represents Lucifer's interests in Faustus's affairs?
Who represents Lucifer's interests in Faustus's affairs?
Which character primarily delivers monologues in the play?
Which character primarily delivers monologues in the play?
In what century does the play Doctor Faustus take place?
In what century does the play Doctor Faustus take place?
Who is described as the tragic hero of Marlowe's play?
Who is described as the tragic hero of Marlowe's play?
What traditional figure does the Chorus represent in Greek tragedy?
What traditional figure does the Chorus represent in Greek tragedy?
What role does Mephastophilis play at Faustus's side throughout much of the play?
What role does Mephastophilis play at Faustus's side throughout much of the play?
What does Lucifer usually represent through Mephastophilis's actions?
What does Lucifer usually represent through Mephastophilis's actions?
What makes Doctor Faustus a tragic hero in Marlowe's play?
What makes Doctor Faustus a tragic hero in Marlowe's play?
Who is the vintner in the play 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who is the vintner in the play 'Doctor Faustus'?
What does Faustus do to the knight Benvolio in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What does Faustus do to the knight Benvolio in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who helps Bruno, the pope's rival, escape back to Germany in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who helps Bruno, the pope's rival, escape back to Germany in 'Doctor Faustus'?
In 'Doctor Faustus', who is with Alexander when summoned by Faustus?
In 'Doctor Faustus', who is with Alexander when summoned by Faustus?
Who does Faustus encounter on the road who sells him some hay in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who does Faustus encounter on the road who sells him some hay in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What do Robin and Rafe summon demons for in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What do Robin and Rafe summon demons for in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who disguises themselves as two cardinals in the B-text of 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who disguises themselves as two cardinals in the B-text of 'Doctor Faustus'?
'Doctor Faustus' portrays which character as skeptical of Faustus's magical powers?
'Doctor Faustus' portrays which character as skeptical of Faustus's magical powers?
What is Wagner's promise to the Clown in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is Wagner's promise to the Clown in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the role of Bruno in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the role of Bruno in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who are with the pope in his chambers when Faustus visits in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who are with the pope in his chambers when Faustus visits in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What role do the Good Angel and Evil Angel play in Doctor Faustus's life?
What role do the Good Angel and Evil Angel play in Doctor Faustus's life?
Who is Robin in Doctor Faustus, and how does he contrast with Faustus?
Who is Robin in Doctor Faustus, and how does he contrast with Faustus?
What happens when the Horse-courser disobeys Faustus's warning not to ride the horse in water?
What happens when the Horse-courser disobeys Faustus's warning not to ride the horse in water?
Which character is antagonized by Faustus and Mephastophilis through practical jokes and annoying behavior?
Which character is antagonized by Faustus and Mephastophilis through practical jokes and annoying behavior?
Why does Faustus make horns appear on the head of the Knight at Charles' Court?
Why does Faustus make horns appear on the head of the Knight at Charles' Court?
How do the Three Scholars in Wittenberg react to Faustus's interest in necromancy?
How do the Three Scholars in Wittenberg react to Faustus's interest in necromancy?
In Doctor Faustus, who is summoned by Lucifer to entertain Faustus with a show of sins?
In Doctor Faustus, who is summoned by Lucifer to entertain Faustus with a show of sins?
What is the profession of Valdes and Cornelius, and what influence do they have on Faustus?
What is the profession of Valdes and Cornelius, and what influence do they have on Faustus?
What role does Belzebub play in Doctor Faustus?
What role does Belzebub play in Doctor Faustus?
What impresses Emperor Charles V during Faustus's visit?
What impresses Emperor Charles V during Faustus's visit?
In Doctor Faustus, what advice does the Old Man offer to Faustus?
In Doctor Faustus, what advice does the Old Man offer to Faustus?
Why does the Duchess of Vanholt ask Faustus to perform a magical trick?
Why does the Duchess of Vanholt ask Faustus to perform a magical trick?
What is the ultimate sin that Faustus commits in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the ultimate sin that Faustus commits in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the role of the good angel and old man in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the role of the good angel and old man in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What condemns Faustus to spend an eternity in hell in the play?
What condemns Faustus to spend an eternity in hell in the play?
Why does Faustus's desire to repent at the end of his life fail?
Why does Faustus's desire to repent at the end of his life fail?
What effect does gaining absolute power have on Faustus according to the text?
What effect does gaining absolute power have on Faustus according to the text?
In 'Doctor Faustus', what do the good angel and the evil angel represent?
In 'Doctor Faustus', what do the good angel and the evil angel represent?
Why does separation from God render one powerless according to the text?
Why does separation from God render one powerless according to the text?
What is Faustus constantly undecided about in the play?
What is Faustus constantly undecided about in the play?
What do the good angel and the evil angel urge Faustus to do in the play?
What do the good angel and the evil angel urge Faustus to do in the play?
What negative outcome does Faustus experience after gaining absolute power?
What negative outcome does Faustus experience after gaining absolute power?
What is one significant way in which Faustus's final moments differ from the rest of the play?
What is one significant way in which Faustus's final moments differ from the rest of the play?
How does Marlowe highlight the clash between medieval and Renaissance values in 'Doctor Faustus'?
How does Marlowe highlight the clash between medieval and Renaissance values in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What does Faustus's early ambition to pile up great wealth and plumb the mysteries of the universe reveal about him?
What does Faustus's early ambition to pile up great wealth and plumb the mysteries of the universe reveal about him?
How does Faustus's perception of his power change after he attains it?
How does Faustus's perception of his power change after he attains it?
What role does theology play in the medieval model that Faustus rejects in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What role does theology play in the medieval model that Faustus rejects in 'Doctor Faustus'?
How does Marlowe's depiction of Faustus's descent from grand ambitions to petty conjuring tricks contribute to the play's themes?
How does Marlowe's depiction of Faustus's descent from grand ambitions to petty conjuring tricks contribute to the play's themes?
What idea does Faustus explicitly reject in his opening speech in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What idea does Faustus explicitly reject in his opening speech in 'Doctor Faustus'?
How does Marlowe portray Faustus's tragic fate as a clash between two different eras?
How does Marlowe portray Faustus's tragic fate as a clash between two different eras?
What is one key theme that Dawkins's remark about Doctor Faustus conveys?
What is one key theme that Dawkins's remark about Doctor Faustus conveys?
In what way does Marlowe depict Faustus as a hero of the new modern world?
In what way does Marlowe depict Faustus as a hero of the new modern world?
What is one significant change that occurs in Faustus's outlook once he gains unlimited power?
What is one significant change that occurs in Faustus's outlook once he gains unlimited power?
How does Marlowe use Faustus's rejection of medieval thinking to enhance the play's themes?
How does Marlowe use Faustus's rejection of medieval thinking to enhance the play's themes?
Study Notes
Doctor Faustus' Motivations and Goals
- Doctor Faustus is motivated to pursue magic to gain unlimited power and knowledge.
- He offers his soul to Lucifer in exchange for power and knowledge.
Characters and Their Roles
- Mephastophilis is a devil who serves Lucifer and represents Lucifer's interests in Faustus' affairs.
- Wagner is Faustus' student and servant in the play.
- Valdes and Cornelius are scholars who influence Faustus with their knowledge of necromancy.
- Belzebub is a devil who plays a role in Doctor Faustus.
- The Good Angel and Evil Angel represent moral guidance and temptation in Faustus' life.
- The Old Man offers Faustus advice and represents moral guidance.
Plot and Events
- Faustus summons Mephastophilis by casting spells.
- Faustus asks Mephastophilis to send demons after an old man.
- Faustus tries to bargain with God for his salvation, but it's too late.
- Faustus eventually struggles with repentance as his death approaches.
- He tries to repent, but it's too late, and he is damned to hell.
Themes and Symbolism
- The play portrays the clash between medieval and Renaissance values.
- Faustus' descent from grand ambitions to petty conjuring tricks contributes to the play's themes of power and morality.
- The Good Angel and Evil Angel represent moral guidance and temptation.
- Lucifer represents evil and temptation, while God represents redemption and salvation.
Character Analysis
- Doctor Faustus is a tragic hero who struggles with morality and repentance.
- He is unwilling to accept moral guidance and is tempted by power and knowledge.
- Faustus' constant indecision and struggle with morality lead to his downfall.
Setting and Context
- The play takes place in the 16th century.
- Doctor Faustus lives in Wittenberg, Germany.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the summary of 'Doctor Faustus' by Christopher Marlowe. Explore the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for unlimited knowledge and magical powers.
