DSC 102. British Drama. DOCTOR FAUSTAS (1)
Doctor Faustas, The Tragicall History of A tragedy in blank verse and prose by Christopher Marlowe, first produced c.1589 but not published until 1604. An edition of 1616 is more relwible, but both are faulty. The medieval legend of the bargain with the Devil first found its way into printed form at Frankurt in 1587, when the chief character was identified with a Doctor Georg Faust, a necromancer of the late of the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Germany. The Chorus explains that Faustus was low-born, or born of low social rank, but still managed to quickly achieve a doctorate in theology at the University of Wittenberg. However, his interest in learning and his pride soon led him to necromancy. Faustus is weary of scientific study and turns to magic. In the first scene of the play, Faustus expresses his boredom and impatience with the various branches of knowledge and concludes that only magic is worth learning. He invokes the aid of the devil who sends his agent, mefostophilis,...