Prologue-
Chorus begins the play, in the tradition of the Renaissance 'morality play', it delivers first what the play is not about "not marching now in the fields of Trasimene", this is not about war... nor love "nor sporting in the dalliance of love". This play is about "faustus's fortunes, good or bad."
Begins of Faustus's history, born "base of stock"- meaning he was born into the lower classes, so was not expected to achieve much. Faustus later uses this as leverage in selling his soul, viewing that in someway he had an unfair start. He is "graced of Doctor's name" as he excels in "heavenly matters of theology", the study of religion. However, he became 'swollen with self-conceit', his intellectual pride endangered by arrogance.
Linked to Icarus "His waxen wings did mount above his reach", links to Gothic convention of 'Hubris'. Alike to Icarus, Faustus is doomed to 'fall from grace' due to his ambition, his wish to exceed "the mind of man", and reach immortality. Pre destines the play's conclusion. Faustus fell to "devilish exercise", "nothing so sweet as magic is to him" "which he prefers before his chiefest bliss"
Sc 1.
Faustus speaks in complicated soliloquy, uses iambic pentameter, creates a flowing poetic speech pattern (reflects on character's intelligence). Use of Latin- "been disserere set finis logices" again links to his intellect, 'Doctor' status/ links to Catholicism. Faustus is having some sort of existential crisis, reflecting on his past and how he is yet to gather "heaps of gold", he feels he has achieved nothing, "yet art thou Faustus, and a man" - feels limited within mortality. States that to "make man live eternally... this profession were to be esteemed". "the universal body of the church.. too servile and illiberal for me" "When all is done, divinity is best" - divinity meaning 'supernatural' religious powers.
-"the reward of sin is death. that's hard" mock religious speaking.
- Predestination, "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves... we must sin... and so consequently die". Rejects conventional view of 'paying off sins' from Catholics, and be able to 'pardoned' by God. Faustus, reading from the Bible, manipulates religious speaking. He focuses instead on the attempt of redemption, but instead on the act of being dammed. Faustus suggests that rather than seeking redemption, we should all sin. As out death is inevitable "the reward of sin is death".
"che sera, sera" What will be, shall be. - predestined.
"these necromantic books are heavenly" - blasphemous. "these that Faustus most desires".
Faustus see's divinity as "far exceeding the mind of man" and thus superior to anything he cans study within mortality. "A song magician is a mighty God".
This is the first time the Good and Bad angels enter the text, Faustus is on the verge of decision and seeks his friends as persuasion, but he fails to recognise the warnings given to him from the good angel "lay that damned book aside" "read the scriptures, that is blasphemy". Faustus actively ignores the persuasion of the Good Angel, only responding to the Bad Angel's persuasion. In this way Faustus ignores the opportunity for redemption.
"fill the public schools with silk" - values knowledge of religious theory.
"tis magic, magic that hath ravished me".
Ends scene with a promise to "conjure, though i die therefore", reinstates the notion of predestination. Faustus has been persuaded by Valdes and Cornelius.
Act 1 Sc 2.
Scholars vs Wagner, comic scene. Wagner is rude to them.
Act 1 sc 3.
(staged midnight, holding a necromantic book, conjuring GOTHIC)
Faustus draws 'Jehovah's name, forward and backward anagrammatised' - blasphemous.
Breaks into Latin speech for conjuring, connects with Catholic faith, ultimately Gothic.
Mephistopheles enters, Faustus states that he is "too ugly to attend on me", shows the tedious, hypocritical actions within Faustus's conducts. He wishes to embrace sin, the necromantic, but is unable face the ugliness of it, he doesn't realise that 'beauty' is a virtue blessed by God, so anything related to Lucifer will be ugly. Mephistopheles returns dressed as a monk, again this imagery seems to criticise the religious identity, suggests that 'the holy figure' is corrupted.
Faustus attempts to assert his power over Mephistopheles, stating that he is to 'wait upon me while i live' BUT Mephistopheles makes it clear that he serves Lucifer only. Faustus ignores this.
"i am a servant to great Lucifer, no more than he commands can we perform"
Faustus fell for "aspiring pride and insolence" parallels Faustus. Again, Hubristic character.
Mephistopheles is an "unhappy spirit that fell with Lucifer"
Meph's definition of Hell. - "Why this is Hell, nor am i out of it. Thou think that i, who saw the face of God, tasted the enternal joys of heaven, are not tormented... for being deprived everlasting bliss?"
Faustus finishes the seen in another soliloquy, declaring the triumphs he will surely accomplish, "i'll be great emperor of the world" including immortal feats "make a bridge through moving air".
Sc 4.
Comic scene between Robin and Wagner, uses base comedy, crude, with references to 'ovid flea', and uses cheap slapstick 'Belliol and Belcher'.
Scene also parallels the deal Faustus will make with Lucifer for his soul, Wagner manages to tempt Robin to tell his soul for a simply "shoulder of mutton". Relates Faustus's deal with that of 'the everyman' and illustrates how the feat, which Faustus views as a great feat, is ultimately achievable for everyone. Even Robin, the clown.
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Act commentary, Chorus preempts the whole of the play, in this way the conclusion will not exactly be 'shocking' but instead satisfactory. Sets up his Hubristic nature, (Ica Quote), installs negative view of Faustus, chorus acts as Elizebethan viewpoint, Faustus represents the Renaissance viewpoint.
-immediately as Meph is introduced, Faustus's power is undermined. M states that Faustus did not conjure him, "he came on his own accord... to claim his soul". Power relationship, although Faustus believes he is in charge, he doesn't understand that he acts as a slave to Lucifer, as Mephistophles only acts "as he commands" [devil].
First act briefly introduces the cyclical nature of the play, Faustus considers (selling his soul) (doubt) Good angel offers redemption, becomes persuaded by fellows... seeks rewards.
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