The Legend of Faust

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The Legend of Faust

• Early Modern Period in Germany (1350-1600) also
  gave rise to legends.
• Early Modern Legends are folk heroes, not
  warriors or chieftains. Different society.
• Like earlier legends, folk heroes also exist on
  the margins of recorded history.
• Examples Till Eulenspiegel
• Johann Faust

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The Legend of Faust

• The historical Georg Faust is a shadowy
  character, probably lived c. 1480 1538.
• He is a contemporary of Martin Luther.
• Historical documents mention Faust in Heidelberg,
  Knittlingen, Wittenberg etc., but may refer to
  different individuals.
• Faust seems to have been an astrologer and
  alchemist of ill-repute not uncommon!

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The Legend of Faust

• Faust was a Renaissance Man, one active in all
  branches of arts and sciences.
• Many similar characters from the period
• Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (Paracelsus)
• Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei (Italian)
• Cornelius Agrippa (German)
• John Dee (English)
• Copernicus (Czech)
• Unlike these, Faust seems to have been more of a
  swindler than a real scientist.

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The Legend of Faust

• The Faust Legend is a conglomeration of these
  characters and earlier medieval accounts of
  wizards and sorcerers
• Merlin the Magician
• Simon Magus
• Theophilus
• The Faust Legend arose about 70 years later
  as a loose collection of stories associated with
  Faust. Oral Transmission.

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The Legend of Faust

• The first version of Faust was published by
  Johann Spies in Frankfurt in 1587
• Historia von
• D. Johann Fausten
• dem weitbeschreyten Zauberer und Schwarzkünstler
• An independent manuscript version from Nürnberg
  may be slightly older.
• Spies presented a moralistic tale from a staunch
  Protestant perspective.

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The Legend of Faust

• The one defining element of all versions of the
  legend is the Pact with the Devil.
• An ancient idea, found in a number of classical
  and medieval works.
• Faust fascinated Renaissance audiences because
  his pact called into question the great advances
  of the age humanism, science, art, and
  philosophy.

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The Legend of Faust

• The Spies Chapbook of 1587 (Volksbuch) presents
  Fausts life as a warning not to seek forbidden
  knowledge or experience.
• The Chapbook constructed as a frame tale
• opening chapters discuss his sinful pact w/
  Mephisto
• concluding chapters discuss the consequences
• Inside chapters list Fausts adventures.
• Very episodic, entertaining, little moralizing.

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The Legend of Faust

• The Spies chapbook established a number of
  elements that are conventionally retained in
  other versions of the legend
• Fausts career as a scholar and astronomer
• His frustration with limitations of human
  knowledge
• His turn toward necromancy to aid his search for
  knowledge
• His pact with the evil spirit (Mephostophilis)
• Cosmological discussions of heaven and hell
• Visitations by various demons and spirits for
  amusement
• Travel through European countries and capital
  cities

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The Legend of Faust

• A visit to the Imperial Court of Charles V as a
  Magician
• A visit to the Pope in Rome, where he mocks the
  Pontiff
• 10. Pranks played on the other courtiers of
  Charles V
• 11. Further pranks played on all manner of people
  horse traders, inn keepers, peasants, Jewish
  peddlers, etc.
• Riotous living with his students drinking and
  carousing!
• The conjuration of classical heroes, esp. Helen
  of Troy
• Failed attempts by pious men to return Faust to
  the Lord
• A marriage to (a demon in the form of) Helen of
  Troy
• Fausts despair as his appointed time draws to a
  close
• Fausts gruesome death presented as a warning to
  others

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The Legend of Faust

• The Spies chapbook was, to judge from
  translations and new editions, very popular.
• English Version (EFB) appeared in 1592
• The
• Historie
• of the damnable life, and deserved death of
• Doctor John Faustus,
• Newly imprinted, and in convenient places
  imperfect matter amended according to the true
  Copie, printed at Franckfort, and translated into
  English by P. F. Gent.leman.

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The Legend of Faust

• A selection of chapters from The Damnable Life
  (EFB) is printed on pp. 92-145 of the Signet
  Classic edition of Marlowe.
• Suggested Reading for class!
• The EFB is a close translation of Spies, but it
  contains new material used by Marlowe.
• New versions of the legend typically add new
  episodes appealing to later societies.

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The Legend of Faust

• Marlowes drama cannot be dated exactly he may
  have used the German version, or only the
  English, or some combination
• The Tragicall History of
• the Life and Death
• of Doctor Faustus.
• Marlowe died in 1593, but the first printing of
  Doctor Faustus was in 1604. A later printing in
  1616 contained a number of differences.

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The Legend of Faust

• After Marlowe, a number of other editions were
  written in Germany
• 1599 Expanded Chapbook edition by Widmann
• 1674 New additions by Pfitzer (love for a village
  girl)
• 1725 The well-meaning Christians childrens
  story
• 1650-1750 English comedians presented a version
  based on Marlowe throughout Germany this was
  also the basis for the beloved Faust puppet play.
• 1759 G. E. Lessing wrote fragments of a Faust
  drama this was the first version to save Faust
  from damnation!

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The Legend of Faust

• Later versions of Faust legend in Germany
• (Storm-and-Stress to Classicism)
• 1778 Fausts Life by Friedrich (Maler) Müller
• 1791 Fausts Life, Deeds, and Ride to Hell by
  Klinger
• 1770-1808 Faust, Part One, by J. W. Goethe
• 1833 Faust, Part Two by Goethe (publ.
  posthumously)
• Goethes work is a masterpiece of world
  literature, extremely influential on all
  subsequent versions of the legend.

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The Legend of Faust

• Later versions of Faust legend appeared
  throughout Europe and America.
• Every generation presents its own version of the
  Faust legend, based upon their own aspirations,
  desires and fears.
• Modern versions of Faust do not usually punish
  Faust for seeking forbidden knowledge and
  experience.
• What would a contemporary American version look
  like?

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Christopher Marlowe
Marlowe probably a spy for Queen Elizabeths
secret service, perhaps spying on Catholics
abroad. Marlowe was born in Canterbury in 1564
(the same year as Shakespeare), son of a
shoemaker. 1578 a student at Kings School,
Canterbury 1580 a scholarship to Corpus Christi
College, Cambridge 1584 received his BA 1587
Cambridge rejected his MA, probably because he
refused to continue his religious studies The
Queens Privy Council intervened, ordering the
university to give Marlowe his degree, for he had
been engaged ... in matters touching the benefit
of the country.
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Christopher Marlowe
1593 Thomas Kyd, a roommate, was arrested for
heretical books he claimed they belonged to
Marlowe. Marlowe was arrested, but in effect put
on probation. On 30 May, Marlowe was having a
feast with three friends at Deptford, when a
quarrel broke out about the bill. Marlowe struck
Ingram Frizer with the handle of a dagger. Frizer
stabbed Marlowe through the eye in such sort
that the brains coming out at the dagger point
and he shortly thereafter died. Marlowe was
posthumously accused of atheism, treason, and of
holding the opinion that they that love not
tobacco and boys were fools.
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Christopher Marlowe
Several conspiracy theories Marlowe was
probably murdered on the orders of the
government, as a spy who knew too much. The whole
barroom brawl was possibly staged. Frizer was
pardoned by Queen Elizabeth two weeks
later. Shakespeare When a mans verses cannot
be read, nor a mans good wit seconded with the
forward child understanding, it strikes a man
more dead than a great reckoning in a little
room. As You Like It Act III, scene 2.
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Doctor Faustus I
A five-act play in the tradition of the
Elizabethan theater. Probably written c. 1592,
not published until 1604. The phrase Faustian
bargain has entered the English lexicon,
referring to any deal made for a short-term gain
with great costs in the long run. Prologue
Character of Faust introduced (cite Pr.
11-27). Faustus, a well-respected German scholar,
grows dissatisfied with the limits of traditional
forms of knowledge philosophy, medicine, law,
and theology and decides that he wants to learn
to practice magic (cite I.1. 47-60). He wants
limitless dominion, knowledge and experience.
20
Doctor Faustus I
Faustus is visited by good and evil angels, who
each offer him advice. Religious framework (cite
I.1. 67-74). Faustus summons a devil with thunder
and lightning he can't bear to see his natural
shape. Tells him to return as an old Franciscan
Friar! (That holy shape becomes a devil best
criticism of Catholicism) Devil returns as
Mephostophilis. Faustus asks Mephostophilis about
Lucifer and hell the theological discussions
begun immediately. Mephostophilis tries to warn
Faustus about becoming a slave to Lucifer! (cite
I.3.75-81)
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Doctor Faustus I
Faustus is unimpressed, he suggests a pact with
Lucifer for 24 years, he asks for use of the
powers of dark magic with Mephostophilis as his
servant. Then Lucifer can claim his soul! (cite
I.3.82-100). Mephostophilis leaves to present
the proposal to his master, Lucifer. Faustuss
aide Wagner forces Robin to be his servant for
seven years, otherwise he will let lose lice upon
him. Robin is not too impressed (he already has
lice) Wagner summons two devils, which does the
trick comic relief.
22
Doctor Faustus 2
Mephostophilis returns with his master's answer
Lucifer agrees to the deal. Faustus is told to
write a deed of gift with thine own blood
(II.1. 36). Heavenly intervention Faustuss
blood dries unnaturally quickly before he can
sign the pact. A second Intervention Faustus
signs the pact with his blood but a strange
inscription appears on his arm Home fuge! pact
is presented in detail (cite 2.1. 95-15). Faust
does not believe in hell on earth, requests a
wife given a female devil (heres a hot whore
indeed! 151).
23
Doctor Faustus 2
Theological discussions of creation, heaven and
hell. Lucifer appears, tells Faustus not to think
of Christ for he is damned! Faustus promises to
abjure God forever (cite 2.2. 101-105) To
distract him, Lucifer and Belzebub present
demonic personifications of the Seven Deadly
Sins. Entertainment O, how this sight doth
delight my soul! Comic relief stock character
clowns Dick and Robin try to do magic spells from
one of Faustus' books. Comic relief was an
important feature of Elizabethan Drama, often
parallel action as farce instead of tragedy.
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Doctor Faustus 3
The chorus tells about the Faustuss adventures
and experiences flying on dragons through the
universe. Faustus and his sidekick now travel to
Rome to see the Pope, playing tricks on him
(criticism of Catholicism). Faustus and
Mephostophilis dress as Cardinals and rescue
Bruno, a rival to the pope supported by the
German emperor. When the masquerade is
discovered, the real cardinals take the blame and
are led to prison to be executed. Faustus is
invisible and plays pranks on the pope. He
snatches his dish, takes away his wine, etc...
finally strikes the Pope!
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Doctor Faustus 3 / 4
Comic Relief Robin manages to conjure
Mephostophilis, who, annoyed, turns Robin into an
ape and Dick into a dog. Act 4 takes place at the
court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.
Faustus is now famous as an astrologist, who
provides entertainment through the use of black
magic. Benvolio, a courtier, is introduced as an
antagonist to Faustus. He is envious and
distrustful. Faustus conjures the image of
Alexander the Great for the emperor, while
Benvolio pretends to fall asleep. Faustus put
horns on Benvolio's head, humiliating him in
front of the emperor and the court. (Horns an
allusion to cuckolding i.e. his wife has been
unfaithful). Pranks.
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Doctor Faustus 4
After the Emperor has had a good laugh at poor
Benvolio's expense, he has Faustus remove the
horns And hereafter sir, look you speak well
of scholars (4.2. 116). Benvolio and his
friends resolve to kill the doctor for the
humiliation that Benvolio had to endure. They lay
an ambush Benvolio cuts off Faustuss
head. While they discuss how to humiliate the
dead body, Faustus rises alive, terrifying his
slayers (cite 4.3.69-93). Slapstick comedy.
Another prank Faustus and the horse courser.
Example of folk humor, getting even with
unpopular social types. Note the pun on
horse-flesh (whores flesh)
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Doctor Faustus 4
Showdown between Faustus and a group of his
drunken victims at the court of the Duke of
Vanholt. Comic effect through Faustus' courtesy
and the behaviour of the drunken party. All of
the clowns whom Faustus has tricked are there.
When they reproach Faustus with his deeds, he
simply charms them, to the amusement of the
nobles. First conjuring of Helen of Troy for the
Duke. Faustus might have achieved great things,
discovered new lands, revealed mysteries hidden
beyond human understanding, but he has reduced
himself to showing parlour tricks and playing
pranks on the common people.
28
Doctor Faustus 5
Wagner enters and speaks about Faustus dying
shortly. He has made his will and given his
belongings to Wagner. Feasting and drinking with
students distractions in his final days. A
scholar asks Faustus to conjure Helen of Troy,
since they determined she was the most beautiful
of all women. Helen of Troy appears, makes a
profound effect on the men. An Old Man appears,
gives Faustus another warning. He despairs and
almost repents his sins (cite 5.1. 35-77). To
distract Faustus, Mephistopheles gives him Helen
to glut the longing of his hearts desire (cite
5.1. 86-114).
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Doctor Faustus 5
Beginning of the End. Lucifer comes from hell and
asks Mephostophilis how Faustus doth demean
himself. Mephostophilis responds that Faustus
numbs himself with idle fantasies (cite 5.2.
11-19). The scholars visit Faustus a final time
he confesses his bargain with the devil. They
urge him to repent, but he feels it is too late
(cite 5.2. 40-65). The scholars leave to pray, he
bids them farewell. Good and Bad Angels comment
on Faustus and his errors (5.2.
106-139). Soliloquy with one hour left to live
(cite 5.2. 140-197). The night is spent with
fearful shrieks and cries.
30
Doctor Faustus 5
The ending is similar to medieval Morality Plays
the mouth of hell appears and swallows the
unrepentant sinner. The Chorus provides an
epilogue Cut is the branch that might have
grown full straight, And burned is Apollo's
laurel-bough, That sometime grew within this
learned man. Faustus is gone regard his
hellish fall, Whose fiendful fortune may exhort
the wise, Only to wonder at unlawful
things, Whose deepness doth entice such forward
wits To practice more than heavenly power
permits. (5.3. 1-8)
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Doctor Faustus
Important Themes 1. The Idea of Sin acting
contrary to the will of God. In making a pact
with Lucifer, Faustus not only renounces God, but
he also chooses to swear alliance to the
devil. His despair is a further sin doubting
Gods grace. Faustus has repeated admonitions to
repent (Angels, Old Man, Scholars, etc.) until
the very last scene, where Marlowe seems to leave
the Christian framework. To heighten the
dramatic effect, there is no forgiveness when
Faustus begs for it. Is Doctor Faustus a
Renaissance Morality Play?
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Doctor Faustus
2. Conflicting World Views Conflict between the
value systems of the middle ages and the
Renaissance (Early Modern Period). Scholar R.M.
Dawkins famously remarked that Doctor Faustus
tells the story of a Renaissance man who had to
pay the medieval price for being one. The
medieval world placed God at the center of
existence, man and science were shunted aside.
In the age of secular humanism, man was the
center of existence Faustus' obsession with
individual experience and knowledge made him a
poster boy for the age (and a kindred spirit to
Marlowe). Was Faustus a humanist martyr?
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Doctor Faustus
3. Power Corrupts In the beginning, Faustus has
heroic plans, he wants to transcend ordinary
limitations, expand the boundaries of science and
unveil the secrets of the world (while making a
little money and becoming famous, too). However,
when Faustus gains his limitless power, he
contents himself with cheap tricks for the
nobility and even cheaper pranks for the
commoners. His great individualism degrades into
selfishness and debauchery. A tragedy of
corrupted desire?
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Doctor Faustus
4. The image of Man Divided Throughout the play,
Faustus constantly wonders whether he should
repent or not. He is caught between two desires
To do good and to serve God, or To grasp the
power and the pleasure that Mephostophilis
offers Symbols of this struggle within Faustus
The Good and the Bad Angel. A very Protestant
idea (Martin Luther's theology), that man is by
nature weak and divided, and that one can be
saved only by personal trust in God's grace.
Faustus as an illustration of Lutheran theology?