Summary for Dr. Faustus

-

Dr. Faustus

Dr.Faustus is an Elizabethan tragedy written by Christopher Marlowe. It was written between 1589 and 1592. This play depicts the character of Dr.Faustus , who sells his soul to the devil for knowledge.


Dr.Faustus, the protagonist of this play has pursued doctorate in divinity from Wittenberg University. He is renowned for his knowledge and intelligence. He turns greedy to learn the art of magic (necromancy). Faustus's friends Valdes and Cornelius convince Faustus to learn magic.

Faustus conjures Mephistopheles, the devil and asks him to make a deal with Lucifer. He is ready to gain knowledge and power for 24 years for his soul. He agrees and signs the contract with his blood. The word “Homofuge” (fly, man) appears on his arm.

Faustus begins a second thought. He curses Mephistopheles for causing him lose. The good angel and bad angel arrive before Faustus. The good angel asks him to repent and the evil angel tell him to remain wicked to enjoy this worldly pleasure. Faustus hears to the evil angel. He requests Mephistopheles for a wife but he gives him books full of Knowledge.                

   Faustus along with Mephistopheles explored Rome riding in a Chariot drawn by dragon “ Faustus flies above the world on a real stage – filling  dragon. It must be seen to be believed”. Both make themselves invisible and participate in St. Peters feast. They play a number of tricks before leaving. Further Faustus delights the emperor with illusions.

Faustus continues to use his powers to swindle and humiliate anyone he pleases. Several of his victims, together with Robin the Clown, go to the court of the duke in order to get some justice done, if possible. Faustus wins over the duke and duchess with petty illusions, and toys with Robin.

Faustus tells the scholars about his pact, and they are horror-stricken and resolve to pray for him. On the final night before the expiration of the twenty-four years, Faustus is overcome by fear and remorse. He begs for mercy, but it is too late. At midnight, a host of devils appears and carries his soul off to hell.

The story highlights the life of a man who is after power and knowledge to which the lead protagonist associates with Godhood. He is guided by the angels around him to confess his sins and ask for forgiveness. However, his pride and arrogance does not allow him to do this. His folly makes him not understand the machinations of Lucifer making him be damned to hell

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summary for the Play Strife by John Galsworthy

-
Image
                                                                                        Strife -        John Galsworthy Strife is a three-act play written by John Galsworthy. It is his third play and the play highlights the social issues. It was produced in the year 1909 at the Duke of York Theatre. The title “strife” has a biblical meaning which means bitter conflict. The theme in this play is capital and labour. The action takes place on 7 th february at the Trenartha Tin Plate Work. The factory workers involve in a prolonged strike. There arises a conflict between the company chairman John Anthony and the workers leader Roberts. Both are very stern and adamant to compromise. Anthony was the chairman for 32 years and he is determined to fight and win. In his thirty two years of experience he has won four strikes. He was certain that he could win the strike once more. The directors felt unfair about the stern nature of Anthony. The directors were aware about the outcome of this
Read more

Like an Old Proud King in a Parable A. J.M. Smith, Summary for BA Students.

-
Image
  Like an Old Proud King in a Parable A. J.M. Smith The Poem Like an Old Proud King in a Parable was written by the Canadian Poet, A.J.M Smith. This poem appeared in McGill Fortnightly Review in the year 1926. In this poem Smith narrates the story of an Old King who abandons his Kingdom to become a poet. This poem depicts the poetic career of Smith. Smith breaks some of the old poetic conventions and brings novelty into the society. A king is bored to forego the pleasure of the Kingdom. He renounces his kingdom, and leave his flattering courtiers and adoring wife. The king readily sacrifices the existing kingly life and moves to a lonely land, “a meadow in the Northern Stone”. Northern Stone is in the northern parts of Canada, a land of mountain, snow and forest filled with nature. The King rejoices to live his life along the meadow. In the meadow he feels like an uncontrollable swan, “the heart that controlled liked swan”. The King desires to give up his worldly life and aspir
Read more

SUMMARY OF THE ECSTASY OF RITA JOE

-
Image
   THE ECSTASY OF RITA JOE George Ryga’s , The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a play about a young Indian girl who comes to the city with great dreams. Her dreams get scattered as she enters the city Vancouver.  Sh e becomes one of the victims of the white man’s violence and control. The Ecstasy of Rita Joe describes the cruel life in the city for the native Canadians, as experienced by Rita Joe. This play explores the supremacy of the Whites towards the native Canadians. The protagonist of this play Rita Joe faces a world of prostitution and abuse. In the beginning act the magistrate reads over the charges levied upon Rita Joe. She is charged for prostitution, assault, stealing, vagrancy, shop lifting and for transmitting sexual diseases. The action of the play develops through the character of Rita Joe. Ryga uses flashback technique to narrate the story of Rita Joe.        Rita has lived in the reservation during her childhood days along with her sister Elieen and father  David Joe.
Read more