From the Bookshelf of Reading Classics, Chronologically Through the Ages…

Dr. Faustus

Christopher Marlowe

Start date: April 1, 2020

Finish date: April 30, 2020

Discussion: Plays

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 12 topics — 68 comments total

Plays

Tartuffe by Molière (1669 CE) - #46
By Kendra · 1 post · 6 views

last updated Mar 31, 2021 07:28AM

Shakespeare's Plays (1593-1600 CE) - #35-37
By Kendra · 1 post · 11 views

last updated May 07, 2020 07:09PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 08, 2017 Biblio Curious rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 30-favorites-post-2017, classics-western

So good, it'll make your stomach jump out of your body!!! I'll review this gem very soon and link it here! http://www.biblioatlas.com/2017/05/do...

The actual play is only 98 pages. The intro stuff is 70 (which I read only to learn there's 2 versions of this play and this book, there should be a dude in a robe on the cover in greyscale, edited by Michael Keefer (ISBN 9781551112107) contains both versions.

Keefer painstakingly fused the two editions together to give a complete, uncensored version ...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Jul 12, 2020 Kaylee rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I had previously read Goethe's Faust, and rated that 2/5 for the illogical character motivations. Having read both now, I have to say, Goethe's play (written about 250 years after Marlowe's) is astoundingly well-developed in comparison.

Goethe's Faust at least did stuff; he made the most of his life. Marlowe's Dr Faustus didn't really do anything through the whole play. He once sent Mephistopheles around the world, to bring back some out-of-season grapes to impress a duchess. Another time he got I had previously read Goethe's Faust, and rated that 2/5 for the illogical character motivations. Having read both now, I have to say, Goethe's play (written about 250 years after Marlowe's) is astoundingly well-developed in comparison.

Goethe's Faust at least did stuff; he made the most of his life. Marlowe's Dr Faustus didn't really do anything through the whole play. He once sent Mephistopheles around the world, to bring back some out-of-season grapes to impress a duchess. Another time he got Mephisto to bring some devils in the guise of dead historical figures, to impress an emperor. And that was pretty much it. Mephisto performed a couple tricks for him, and for this he loses his soul. He did also ask for astronomical knowledge and a wife, but never got either, since Mephisto kept brushing him off any time Faustus asked for something more than a parlor trick.

According to their contract, Mephisto was *supposed* to give Faustus anything he asked for, but I guess you can't trust a devil to keep his word. The problem is that Faustus spent the whole play regretting selling his soul, and kept worrying about going to hell, but all the while ***Mephisto was in breach of contract***. So the contract was void, but the Devil still had every intention of collecting. I don't blame Mephisto for being a dishonest bugger, it's what he is... but Faustus should be intelligent enough to insist on his legal rights, yet he never did. That is even more illogical than the issues I had with the Goethe play.

And the fact that Faustus never did anything with his life makes the play very boring. At least Goethe's Faust spent his life partying and traveling the world, got the girl he wanted (at least briefly), and everything he desired was given to him. Marlowe's Dr Faustus earned some fame as a conjurer, but nothing more. I understand that it's a morality play, and it's trying to get across that nothing good will come from infernal associations, but it's just so boring. Goethe still managed to put a lot of morality and consequences into his play, while also making it eventful and interesting.

I was bored, but I pushed through since "it's only 68 pages." I should have quit as soon as I knew I wasn't enjoying it. I want those hours of my life back. Honestly, it's not worth it. Pick something else to read. If you really want to read the Faust myth, go with Goethe, though you could skip both and not miss much. ...more

Like · see review