Half term homework

Sin Redemption and Damnation- Faustus completes the ultimate sin despite his tested trials to repent he never fully fulfils this and returns to his role with the rulers of hell, this presents the idea he knowingly brings about his own downfall and turns away from god

‘Had I as many souls as there be stars, I’d give them all for Mephistopheles.’

Conflict of Medieval and Renaissance values- Faustus in the first scene rejects traditional study and the value of philosophy and religion. But instead her focuses on his high ambition to pursue the unknown in the form of magic and witchcraft, this fits with the more modernised values of the renaissance.

‘Lines, circles, signs, letters and characters’ for which he believes he will gain ‘Power.. Honour.. Omnipotence’

Power as a corrupting influence- ultimately I feel Faustus’ desire to sell his soul is to have his own way and be seen as ambitious and of high status. However this does prove the corruption of him as his pride means that he believes he is correct in his action and that he will gain high status and power. When in fact this power is reduced to nothing more than slapstick, when he sells his soul his ambition is transformed into petty jokes.

Before- ‘ A sound magician is a mighty god’

After- ‘charm me that I may be invisible to do what I please’

Divided man of nature- internally Faustus is fighting with his own emotions and in his case the good angel and the evil angel present his split loyalty and presents to the audience that Faustus has a choice. However it would seem that the angel who speaks last wins Faustus over and causes him to act upon their word.

Good angel- ‘repent and they shall never raze they skin’ to which Faustus reacts- ‘Ah Christ my saviour’ showing he has taken notice of this statement.

Magic and the supernatural- Faustus has a clear fascination with exploring the unknown in some ways this is probably to fulfil his ambition to be regarded ‘omnipotent’. He certainly involves himself with magic through summoning the devil as he has the power to shape shift, turn Faustus invisible and turn Robin and Rafe into a dog and a monkey.

‘ Well villains for your presumption I transform thee into an ape and thee into a dog’

Practical jokes- the ultimate downfall, where his ambition is belittled into no more than childish games played upon the pope who would be viewed badly by the audience for starters as they were protestants and he catholic. The lowest form of wit is slapstick which Faustus has reduced himself to.

‘Snatching the dish’ shows how childish he is.

Blood- when Faustus sells his soul his body tries to prevent the signing in blood showing it is unnatural and inhumane.

‘My blood congeals’ ‘why streams it not that I may write afresh’

Faustus’s reflection of the ancient authorities- in the first scene he rejects the knowledge and tradition of well established subject ideas such as philosophy and law which he replaces with the unknown modern subject of magic which has no establishment, he wishes to explore the new.

‘Divinity adieu’ He dismisses the most ancient authority religion.

Good angel and evil angel- these angels symbolise his inner turmoil of choice for the devil and repentance.  Constant conflict draws Faustus to take sides with whoever speaks last structurally showing possible that he doesn't know which to choose so it is like tossing a coin just to take his chances.