The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
A highly ambitious scholar, Faustus, becomes disillusioned with traditional forms of knowledge—divinity, law, and medicine—believing they offer him no true power or fulfillment. He turns to necromancy, seeking to gain supernatural abilities and knowledge. In a pact with Lucifer, he sells his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of service from Mephistopheles, a demon. Faustus revels in his newfound powers, traveling across Europe, performing magic, and summoning spirits, including historical figures like Alexander the Great and Helen of Troy. Despite his initial excitement, he begins to grapple with the consequences of his choices. He experiences moments of doubt and regret, particularly when confronted by the Good and Evil Angels, who represent his conflicting desires for salvation and damnation. As the end of his pact approaches, Faustus becomes increasingly desperate. He attempts to repent but is thwarted by his own despair and the manipulations of Mephistopheles. He realizes that he is trapped in a cycle of sin and cannot escape his fate. In a final moment of anguish, he calls out to God for mercy, but it is too late. The clock strikes midnight, signaling the end of his time, and he is dragged to hell by demons. The work serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, the pursuit of knowledge without moral consideration, and the consequences of forsaking one's soul for temporal power. Faustus's tragic downfall illustrates the conflict between human aspiration and the limits imposed by divine law.
By Christopher Marlowe · First published 1604 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Elizabethan Literature · 16 chapters · 22,058 words
First lines
Dramatis Personae: / The Pope / Cardinal of Lorrain / Emperor of Germany / Duke of Vanholt / Faustus / Valdes, Friend to Faustus / Cornelius, Friend to Faustus / Wagner, Servant to Faustus / Clown / Robin / Ralph / Vintner, Horse-Courser, Knight, Old Man, Scholars, Friars, and Attendants / Duchess Of Vanholt / Lucifer / Belzebub / Mephistopheles / Good Angel / Evil Angel / The Seven Deadly Sins / Devils / Spirits in the shapes of Alexander the Great, of his Paramour, and of Helen of Troy / Chorus
Chorus: / Reads.
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Genres
- Tragedy — The play centers on the tragic downfall of Doctor Faustus due to his hubris and desire for power.
- Drama — It is a dramatic work that explores complex themes through character interactions and conflicts.
- Elizabethan Literature — It reflects the characteristics and themes prevalent in the literature of the Elizabethan era.
- Philosophical — The play delves into existential questions about knowledge, morality, and the human condition.
Tags
Tragedy · Drama · Faustian bargain · Deal with the devil · Pact with Mephistopheles · Magic and sorcery · Supernatural elements · Moral ambiguity · Hubris and pride · Guilt and redemption · Consequences of sin · Christian allegory
What this Textopian page supports
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is listed on Textopian as a play by Christopher Marlowe, dated 1604 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Christopher Marlowe
- Date: 1604 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Elizabethan Literature, Philosophical, Gothic
- Length: 22,058 words
- Structure: 16 chapters, 787 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE III
- SCENE IV
- SCENE V
- SCENE VI
- SCENE VII
- SCENE VIII
- SCENE IX
- SCENE X
- SCENE XI
- SCENE XII
- SCENE XIII
- SCENE XIV
- SCENE XV
- SCENE XVI