The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, Acts 3-5

1. Create 2 discussion questions (total) for Acts 3 and 4 of The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus. Give the full context to understand your question and your literary reasons for asking. The models for 10-2 may be helpful. I also encourage you to draw on our previous class discussion and previous responses (yours or others students') in framing these. If one of your questions for 10-2 relates to Acts 3, 4, or 5, just repost that and create one more. 

2. For Act 5, choose a passage that you regard as significant to this part of the play, or to the entire play, and support your choice. The passage can be one speech, a dialogue of two or more characters, even a short scene. Give the line numbers and be sure to quote from the play at least briefly in your response.

1. In Act 4, Scene 1, the Knight at Emperor Charles V’s court is skeptical of Dr. Faustus’ magical ability. He disdainfully remarks of Dr. Faustus, “I’faith, he looks much like a conjurer,” and “I’faith, that’s as true as Diana turned me to a stag” (Lines 12, 64). What is the significance of the repeated “I’faith,” particularly in relation to the Knight’s character? Is Marlowe satirizing the Knight like Chaucer did?

2. In Act 5, Scene 1, Lines 36-47, the Old Man encourages Dr. Faustus to repent. Is he supposed to be a wise counselor or a prophetic fool? How do the religious references influence our perception of him? I am interested in this character because I would like to know about the origins of either of those archetypes for old man characters.

In Act 5, Scene 2, Dr. Faustus’ death draws near, in accordance with his deal with the devil. From when he hears the clock strike eleven to when it strikes eleven-thirty, he bemoans that he has but one hour to live, and he desperately tries to come up with an alternative to going to hell. This segment of this speech runs from Line 66 to 97.

Dr. Faustus is left all alone to face death, which is why he addresses himself in the third person. There is no one with which to converse, save himself. He cries out to the planets, the sun, God, Christ, Lucifer, mountains, hills, the ground, and the stars, but none of them acknowledge him. His plea to the devil, “oh spare me Lucifer!” is as futile as commanding the planets to “stand still” and the mountains to “come, come, and fall on me” (Lines 82, 69, 86). He knows he cannot escape hell; everyone and everything knows he cannot escape hell. In this speech, Dr. Faustus’ fate is realized.