The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus A Play Written by Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe ISRAEL GOLLANCZ Books
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The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus A Play Written by Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe ISRAEL GOLLANCZ Books
…with the devil.Thanks to a fellow Amazon reviewer, I was privileged to see the operatic version of this classic tale under the summer night skies of Santa Fe. I knew the essence of the story prior to viewing the opera, but had never actually read one of the versions. The tale is based on Germanic folklore, and is set in that country, even though Christopher Marlowe is English. His was the first formal written version of the tale. Subsequent versions would be produced by Goethe and Thomas Mann – and, of course there is the opera itself, written by Charles Gounod, and first produced in Paris, in 1859.
Twenty four years of knowledge and power. That is the value Dr. Faustus places on his immortal soul. He will join Mephistophilis (one of the varying names for the devil) for all eternity for “…letting him live in all voluptuousness…” “…to give me whatsoever I shall ask, to tell me whatsoever I demand, to slay mine enemies, and aid my friends…”
Throughout Marlow’s version, he takes numerous jabs at organized religion, for example: “Both law and physic are for petty wits; Divinity is the basest of the three…” and “Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; That holy shape becomes a devil best.” One of the themes of Marlow’s tale is that the bargain may have resulted from too much learning… the desire to read it all. Hum!
Once again the play is the thing… as we have seen acted out over the one and a half years… the thirst for the power of the Presidency of the United States, and the seeming “anything goes” ethos. No lie, no trick is beneath anyone. A deep embrace of Mephistophilis, not for 24 years, but for four. But don’t get me started…
As for Marlowe’s first formal version, written in the late 16th century, 4-stars, and I hope to read the more fully developed work of this tale as written by Goethe.
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The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus A Play Written by Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe ISRAEL GOLLANCZ Books Reviews
I purchased this book in order to be able to follow a Globe Theater production of Marlowe's play, and I paid special attention to the fact that this volume had both the longer and the shorter versions of Marlowe's texts, so I would be sure to have one which matched the filmed play.
As it turned out, the filmed play was a bit different from both versions in this volume, and it was not immediately clear why that was. I was hoping that the two versions of the play would have been printed on facing pages, so if any dialogue was borrowed from the other version, I could see that. But no luck.
It seems that even between the two main versions, there are new variations in place, and the Globe players, probably in the interests of historical accuracy, were using the text of the longer version, printed after Marlowe's death. So, my plan to be able to follow the rapid fire Elizabethan delivery of dialogue was thwarted.
I ordered a 2nd hand copy, which was in "very good" condition; however, it was comb bound, instead of the usual trade paperback binding in signatures, and glue. That was a momentary surprise, but not critical. If you are fussy about that, don't order a second hand copy.
Doctor Faustus is a surprisingly short and, for a 500 year old work, readable play. This free version has some OCR-type errors, but is itself very readable. There are hot links to and from footnotes.
Marlowe gives a chilling portrayal of a man who chooses to have the world - particularly through magic - temporarily in exchange for his soul eternally. Whenever Dr. Faustus questions his own choice, the Devil beseeches him and he reaffirms that choice. Dr. Faustus's intrigue with magic is all the more chilling in the historical context of Elizabethan England, when it was written, generally, and in particular the activities of her adviser John Dee and his fascination with the black arts. The play is no empty fantasy but a withering criticism of Dee and of the dabbling done during Elizabeth's reign, written with insight and wit. Those who try to summon and command angels will deal with the fallen angels.
The play can also be read as a critique of Puritanism/Calvinism by a Catholic, but there are also passages that leave room for argument by suggesting predestination; then again some ambiguity would be prudent if a Catholic were writing during the time of the Virgin Queen.
Dr. Faustus is a great story of hubris, temptation, and regret. It has also been told in so many forms over the centuries that it has had a lasting artistic impact on Western culture, especially in literature and drama. That said, it is a story that everyone who loves books and theater should read.
You could find much thicker copies of this work with extensive interpretation, long forewords, and various other analytical and historical additions. Those may benefit you a great deal. Since college, I have often opted for the simplicity and low cost of Dover Thrift editions. They provide just enough additional notation to clarify issues with antiquated word usage and such, while not disttracting me with minutiae and preventing me from getting lost in the story. They may not be impressively bound in leather, but I buy books to read and learn, not to impress.
…with the devil.
Thanks to a fellow reviewer, I was privileged to see the operatic version of this classic tale under the summer night skies of Santa Fe. I knew the essence of the story prior to viewing the opera, but had never actually read one of the versions. The tale is based on Germanic folklore, and is set in that country, even though Christopher Marlowe is English. His was the first formal written version of the tale. Subsequent versions would be produced by Goethe and Thomas Mann – and, of course there is the opera itself, written by Charles Gounod, and first produced in Paris, in 1859.
Twenty four years of knowledge and power. That is the value Dr. Faustus places on his immortal soul. He will join Mephistophilis (one of the varying names for the devil) for all eternity for “…letting him live in all voluptuousness…” “…to give me whatsoever I shall ask, to tell me whatsoever I demand, to slay mine enemies, and aid my friends…”
Throughout Marlow’s version, he takes numerous jabs at organized religion, for example “Both law and physic are for petty wits; Divinity is the basest of the three…” and “Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; That holy shape becomes a devil best.” One of the themes of Marlow’s tale is that the bargain may have resulted from too much learning… the desire to read it all. Hum!
Once again the play is the thing… as we have seen acted out over the one and a half years… the thirst for the power of the Presidency of the United States, and the seeming “anything goes” ethos. No lie, no trick is beneath anyone. A deep embrace of Mephistophilis, not for 24 years, but for four. But don’t get me started…
As for Marlowe’s first formal version, written in the late 16th century, 4-stars, and I hope to read the more fully developed work of this tale as written by Goethe.
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