Thursday 8 March 2012

Dr Faustus Act II:

Act II:
Scene I:
·         1st Sign of conscience
·         “Lukewarm blood of new-born babes” – Lady Macbeth.
·         “My Blood congeals” – signs from God to stop – chance to escape – Hell, Blood and Fire.
·         “Whither should I fly?” – Message from God? Fly from Sin?
·         He sells his soul in this scene  - it’s a good deal at the time – the Plague was rife and many people did not live past the age of 40.
·         Faustus – after selling his soul and signing the contract in blood – asks for a wife – not whore.
·         Life companion? Relationship and commitment.
·         Is he selling his soul for ambitious purposes?
·         ‘Nay, sweet Mephistopheles’  - ironic? A test for M.?
·         Duality?
Scene II:
·         Sexual innuendo – reflecting the stupidity of all mankind and humanity.
·         Comic interlude again.
·         Social and status comment.
·         Less intellectual
·         It makes Faustus look more moral (he asks for a wife not whores)
·         Marlowe’s atheism – he finds religion amusing?
Scene III:
·         “And cured thee, wicked Mephistopheles” – he just called him ‘sweet M.’ what is he thinking?
·         Good and Bad Angels – make him doubt his decision.
·         Epiphany?
·         Questions – Of Alexander’s love and Oenone’s death?”
·         Potentially suicidal before making pact – pleasure conquered deep despair.
·         Marlowe’s mentioning God and religion – but constantly doubting.
·         Faustus meets the 7 deadly sins and is persuaded by them to live a life of evil.
·         Deep down Faustus is and always will be base stock – they tempt him.
·         Dithering and repentance.
·         Faustus mocks his religion.

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