The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (eBook)

From the Quarto of 1604

Christopher Marlowe (Autor)

Alexander Dyce (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
52 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654734907-5 (EAN)

Infos

Christopher Marlowe's 'The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus' is a volatile exploration of ambition, desire, and the human condition, wrapped in the rich literary fabric of the Elizabethan period. Written in blank verse, this tragic play delves into the life of Faustus, a scholar who, dissatisfied with the limits of human knowledge, makes a fateful pact with the devil, trading his soul for twenty-four years of magical powers. Marlowe's use of soliloquies and rhetorical flourishes imbues the text with a heavy sense of foreboding, as it poses fundamental questions about morality, knowledge, and the consequences of hubris, reflecting the Renaissance's changing attitudes towards religion and individuality. Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary and possible rival of Shakespeare, was a figure shrouded in mystery and controversy. His own life of excess and ambition, coupled with his scholarship in classical texts, greatly influenced his writing. Marlowe's relationship with the themes of rebellion and tragic heroism can be traced to his own tumultuous existence, marked by allegations of atheism and his brutal murder at a young age, suggesting that he was acutely aware of the fragile state of human ambition. Readers seeking a reflective and provocative engagement with the boundaries of knowledge and the supernatural will find 'Doctor Faustus' an essential text. Its layered characterizations and moral complexities resonate profoundly with contemporary audiences, inviting them to ponder the eternal struggle between aspiration and consequence. This timeless tale encourages readers to examine their own desires in the shadow of moral reckoning.

Autor

Christopher Marlowe (baptized 26 February 1564 – 30 May 1593) was an eminent English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. Often considered the foremost Elizabethan tragedian of his day, he greatly influenced William Shakespeare, who was born in the same year. Marlowe's plays are known for their blank verse and overreaching protagonists. A defining work of his literary career is 'The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus' (c. 1592), which epitomizes Marlowe's signature style of grandiose characters, and preoccupation with ambition and destiny. This play, based on the German Faustbuch, tells the cautionary tale of Dr. Faustus, a scholar who sells his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. The thematic exploration of hubris and the complex interplay between the supernatural and human desire highlights Marlowe's fascination with Renaissance individualism. His work, known for its passionate and rhetorical language, has cemented his status as a pioneer of dramatic form and a key figure in the development of English tragedy. Marlowe's brief life, clouded by allegations of espionage and his untimely death, perhaps as mysterious as the characters he created, adds a layer of intrigue to his legacy, securing his place among the pantheon of great English literary figures.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.9.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Essays / Feuilleton
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Lyrik / Dramatik ► Dramatik / Theater
• Schlagworte: 16th century playwrights • Ambition and knowledge • -approximately 1540 • Blank verse poetry • Character study of Faustus • Christopher Marlowe plays • classic cautionary tale • Classic English dramas • Doctor Faustus book • Drama • Dramatic philosophical exploration • Elizabethan drama style • Elizabethan Tragedy • English literature • Enigmatic playwright • Faust • Faustian bargain literature • Faustian bargain themes • Faustian pact • Germany • Gothic themes • Human ambition conflict • Humanism vs predestination • Literary reflection of soul • magicians • Mephistopheles and magic • Morality play traditions • Moral philosophy in literature • Renaissance Drama • Renaissance literature • Renaissance moral tragedy • supernatural elements • Supernatural plays • Supernatural temptation narrative • tragedies • tragic hero journey