Dr Faustus Context

Dr Faustus Context

1. Morality Play - The main character is tempted but normally recounts

   • This is how Dr Faustus differs from other morality plays as the love from God is no longer there

2. Gothic Text

   • Features of a Gothic text: Supernatural elements Pathetic fallacy Antagonist Movement against enlightenment Protagonist transgresses Moral (sometimes) Negative action

3. First performed - 1593

   • A Text - 1604
   • B Text -1616
   • Is meant to be performed - remember audience

4. Renaissance

5. Protestant

   • James I Bible
   • Anti-Catholic
     • Can be seen in Dr Faustus - e.g. The pope scene 
   • Martin Luther
     • 1512 Protestant movement (Germany)
       • Dr Faustus based on German folk tale

6. New translations of classics

7. Marlowe

   • Died after being stabbed in the eye after a fight in the pub
   • Died 1593