Dr Faustus Act IV

Act IV:

Scene I:

·         Faustus is now seen as the common celebrity

·         The knight questions Faustus’s intentions – is this what the audience should be doing?

·         Faustus is drunk on power?

·         The idea of resurrecting Alexander the Great is seen as important to showing off his power.

·         Now, the deal itself has more value than anything achieved afterwards – Faustus has become the generic magician at parties.

·         Is Faustus lonely?

·         He wants to push social and scientific boundaries – Macbeth and Frankenstein.

·         Wasting time.

·         PARAMOUR = mistress.

·         Selfish.

·         Faustus could do anything in the world and ye he is playing cheap tricks. No Game – thus unlikable.

·         Visible imagery of horns – Aceton Society – cuckled – extreme public humiliation

·         “reward” – stage show?

·         Time is running out

·         Faustus is never satisfied.

·         Pull him by the leg, and pull it away – his leg falls off – tricked him – “pulling your leg” – common slang.

Scene II:

·         Does Faustus really need human interaction?

·         Is Faustus sad when he is saying his lines?

·         Pathetic use of his (or Mephistopheles’) powers.

·         Lecherous – M. has all the power, not Faustus.

·         F – drunk on invincibility: a mere celebrity – Katie Price.

·         Petty

·         Intelligence – “aren’t I amazing?”

·         What is his reward? Money? Social favours? Imbued with irony?

·         Flirtatious, arrogant, smarmy…

·         He needs normal people to entertain.

·         Get your reward – comeuppance?