Project 1  ·  Characters and Story

The Tragedy of
Doctor Faustus

by Christopher Marlowe

A doctor of Wittenberg University gives his soul to Lucifer in return for twenty-four years of life and a devil as his servant.

Prepared and presented byNida Öcek
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Main Characters

Who is who?

Doctor Faustus

Scholar from Rhode. Studies magic and gives his soul to Lucifer.

Mephistophilis

Devil and Lucifer’s servant. Serves Faustus for 24 years.

Lucifer

Mephistophilis’s master. Was an angel once; God threw him into hell.

Good angel & bad angel

Argue about his choices: repent or go on.

Wagner

Faustus’s servant. Believes Faustus has left everything to him.

Valdes & Cornelius

Friends who study magic. They teach him.

The Old Man

Asks Faustus to repent. His faith is strong.

The two scholars

Old friends from the university. They pray for him.

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Other Characters

People Faustus meets

Beelzebub & the Seven Deadly Sins

Beelzebub comes with Lucifer. The Seven Deadly Sins come from hell to visit Faustus.

Pope Adrian, Bruno, King Raymond

Rome: the Pope, the rival Pope and a royal guest.

Emperor Charles V

Invites Faustus to his court.

Benvolio, Martino, Frederick

The Emperor’s knights.

The horse-dealer

Buys Faustus’s horse.

Duke & Duchess of Vanholt

Faustus visits them. He shows them a castle in the air and brings the Duchess grapes.

Helen of Troy (a spirit)

Appears for two scholars. Later she comes back as his lover.

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Setting

Where the story happens

1 PARTRhodewhere he is born 2 PARTWittenberguniversity, his study 3 PARTTour of the universeeight days 4 PARTGermany, France,Italy 5 PARTRomeThe Papal Palace 6 Wittenberg, thenEmperor Charles V’scourtPART 7 An innand a riverPART 8 Duke of Vanholta visitPART 9 Wittenberg, the studythe endPARTS&
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Parts One & Two

The choice

Logic

Can already argue well

Medicine

Cannot make people live for ever

Law

Does not satisfy him

Bible

“If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves...”

Magic

Power over spirits

TeachersValdes and Cornelius teach him
→
The RitualMagic circle and stars; thunder
→
The DevilReturns as a Franciscan friar: Mephistophilis
→
Why he cameFaustus was cursing God
→
The OfferHis soul for 24 years
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Part Three

The contract

1Blood dries in the pen
→
2Pen warmed over coal
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3He writes and signs
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4“It’s done!”
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5“Homo fuge” on his arm
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6Richly dressed devils dance

Terms

Mephistophilis is his servant.

He does what Faustus commands.

After 24 years, Lucifer and his servants can carry Faustus away.

Is there a hell?

Mephistophilis: “Hell is everywhere.”

Faustus: “I think hell’s a fable.”

After the signing

Faustus asks for a wife: an old, ugly female devil appears.

Then Mephistophilis gives him a book of spells.

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Part Four

Doubts

  • Wants to repent — good angel and bad angel argue
  • Asks “Who made the world?” — Mephistophilis refuses to answer
  • Prays to Christ — Lucifer, Beelzebub and Mephistophilis appear
  • They say he is breaking the agreement — and bring the Seven Deadly Sins
PrideWants perfume and carpets
CovetousnessLoves gold
EnvyHates seeing others happy
WrathRoams with a sword
GluttonyHas money for thirty meals and ten snacks a day
SlothLies in the sun
LecheryPleasures of the body
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Parts Five to Seven

Travels and tricks

UniverseEight-day tour of the universe; they fly around the stars
RomeDisguised as the Cardinals of France and Padua; frees Bruno. Invisible at the feast: snatches food, hits the Pope’s ear
Emperor Charles VAlexander the Great and his mistress appear. Horns on Benvolio. Ambush and the false head; devils throw, drag and roll the three knights; horns they cannot remove
Horse-dealerForty dollars; river; bundle of straw; Faustus’s leg comes off in the dealer’s hand
Duke of VanholtCastle in the air. Grapes in winter for the Duchess
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Part Eight

Helen and the Old Man

1 · The will

Wagner learns that Faustus has made a will. Wagner says he has been left everything.

2 · Helen

At dinner she appears for two scholars.

3 · The Old Man

Asks Faustus to repent. Mephistophilis hands him a dagger.

4 · The threat

Mephistophilis threatens him. Faustus offers to write another letter in blood confirming the agreement.

5 · The lover

Helen returns as his lover: “Your kisses take my immortal soul.”

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Part Nine

The last hour

  • The scholars pray in the next room
  • Mephistophilis says he turned the pages of the Bible
  • The clock strikes eleven, then the half-hour
  • Midnight: thunder — Lucifer and the devils enter
  • Last words: “No, Lucifer, no! Give me one more minute!”
  • A few hours later the scholars find him torn to pieces by the devils
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The Story in Four Steps

Summary

1 · The choiceFaustus chooses magic and offers his soul
→
2 · The contractHe signs in blood; Mephistophilis becomes his servant
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3 · 24 yearsJourneys, tricks and visits to important people
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4 · The endAt midnight the devils come for him

Thank you!  Any questions?

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