The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus / From the Quarto of 1604

Name: The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus / From the Quarto of 1604
Author: Christopher Marlowe

By Christopher Marlowe

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

British Literature Classics of Literature Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A learned scholar, disillusioned with traditional disciplines, turns to necromancy and summons a demon, sealing a pact that grants twenty-four years of supernatural power in exchange for his soul. He employs conjured spirits to display marvels, pursue worldly pleasures, and assert influence, while a Good and an Evil Angel dramatize his inward conflict. Public spectacles alternate with private remorse, and a chorus frames his ascent and inevitable decline. The piece explores ambition and the appetite for forbidden knowledge, the tension between religious conscience and secular mastery, and the tragic cost of overreaching human desire.

About the Author

Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe was an influential English playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era, known for his innovative use of blank verse and his exploration of complex themes such as ambition, power, and the human condition. His notable works include the tragic play "Doctor Faustus," which delves into the consequences of seeking knowledge and power beyond human limits. Marlowe's other significant contributions to literature include "Tamburlaine," "The Jew of Malta," and "Edward the Second." His bold and dramatic style paved the way for later playwrights, including William Shakespeare, and he remains a key figure in the development of English drama.