Doctor Faustus
Original answer with comments.
Read the following passage from Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. What does this scene tell us about Faustus’s state of mind? Pay particular attention to Marlowe’s use of language.
The passage is written in blank verse throughout using iambic pentameter.– The most typical form of writing from the 16th Century poets. In the passage Act 2 Scene 1, Marlowe gives the impression of Faustus feeling isolated and trapped almost between the good and evil angels. His lack of self-confidence is apparent from the first two lines ‘Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned,’ (2.1.1) ‘And canst thou not be saved.’(2.2.2). He doubts himself immediately. He seems almost perturbed in his thoughts.
There are certain aspects of the passages structure that Marlowe uses to point out the characters hesitancy and inner struggle. We discover Faustus talking to himself whilst trying to decide what action to take. It is also important to notice the repetitions in the scene; the words repeated the most are God, Despair and Heaven. Marlowe is obviously trying to highlight what is on Faustus’ hopeless state of mind.
Faustus’ speech is peppered with questions that suggest self-doubt and uncertainty. ‘What boots it then to think of God or heaven?’ (2.1.3) ‘Why waverest thou? (2.1.7.) A series of commands follow this. ‘Away with such vain fancies and despair’ (2.1.4) ‘Despair in God and trust in Beelzebub.’(2.1.5)
The 2nd and 10th line of the first verse disturb the meter as they are evidently shorter than the rest with only six syllables suggesting in performance an actor would have to pause for effect. In contrast by the last verse he has stopped wrestling with his conscience as is evident with Marlowe’s use of ‘Cast no more doubts’. (2.1.26)
All of this combined with the rest of Marlowe’s play create a story of a tragic hero, who at first you feel sorry for, which later develops into pity. There is a change of tone and rhythm from a determined
Read the following passage from Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. What does this scene tell us about Faustus’s state of mind? Pay particular attention to Marlowe’s use of language.
The passage is written in blank verse throughout using iambic pentameter.– The most typical form of writing from the 16th Century poets. In the passage Act 2 Scene 1, Marlowe gives the impression of Faustus feeling isolated and trapped almost between the good and evil angels. His lack of self-confidence is apparent from the first two lines ‘Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned,’ (2.1.1) ‘And canst thou not be saved.’(2.2.2). He doubts himself immediately. He seems almost perturbed in his thoughts.
There are certain aspects of the passages structure that Marlowe uses to point out the characters hesitancy and inner struggle. We discover Faustus talking to himself whilst trying to decide what action to take. It is also important to notice the repetitions in the scene; the words repeated the most are God, Despair and Heaven. Marlowe is obviously trying to highlight what is on Faustus’ hopeless state of mind.
Faustus’ speech is peppered with questions that suggest self-doubt and uncertainty. ‘What boots it then to think of God or heaven?’ (2.1.3) ‘Why waverest thou? (2.1.7.) A series of commands follow this. ‘Away with such vain fancies and despair’ (2.1.4) ‘Despair in God and trust in Beelzebub.’(2.1.5)
The 2nd and 10th line of the first verse disturb the meter as they are evidently shorter than the rest with only six syllables suggesting in performance an actor would have to pause for effect. In contrast by the last verse he has stopped wrestling with his conscience as is evident with Marlowe’s use of ‘Cast no more doubts’. (2.1.26)
All of this combined with the rest of Marlowe’s play create a story of a tragic hero, who at first you feel sorry for, which later develops into pity. There is a change of tone and rhythm from a determined