Task 4- How does Marlowe explore the Gothic themes of over-reaching ambition, sin and evil in the first Act of Dr Faustus?

At the beginning of Act 1, in his soliloquy, Faustus is portrayed by Marlowe to be over-reaching as he says “Having commenced, be a divine in show, yet level at the end of every art” which is translated into “Now that you have been awarded a degree, be a theologian in appearance only, while aiming to reach the utmost limit of every discipline of learning”. The ‘utmost limit’ demonstrates over-reaching ambition as Faustus is going to push himself as far as he can, maybe without considering risks and danger that he could force himself into. He also possesses a great amount of self confidence which is evident in the quote “And be eternised”. He believes that he is the best, and should therefore be made immortal, and forever famous. After all, his commonplace statements are “common talk sound aphorisms” of everybody, so why should this moment of fame or infamy ever end?  

Sin is presented through the use of Latin. “Stipendium peccati mors  est” which translates as “The wages of sin  is death” or “The rewards”. What is interesting is how Faustus exclaims “Ha” after reading this piece of religious text. With religion being an important part of society at the time, this may have been seen as disrespectful and offensive to faith. To most people, God was an important feature of their lives, and he should be adored no matter what. However, with Faustus following the Devil, he adapted his own set of beliefs and values. Furthermore, Faustus says that “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there’s no truth in us. Why then belike we must sin, and so consequently die.” This could be interpreted that mankind is born out of sin, or as sinners and will go to hell with Mephistopheles. This relates back to the history of the doctrine, genesis and the ‘original sin’ committed by Adam and Eve.  

Evil is represented at the entrance of an angel from the left- the ‘Evil Angel’. Here, Faustus is encouraged to “Go forward in that famous art” referring to the study of divinity from a book he is holding. However, the Good Angel has already told Faustus to “Lay the damnèd book aside” as the study of the bible was seen then as blasphemy. Knowledge is power- something that people are not supposed to possess. Only God should have power, as he is the one in control and he should be obeyed. Marlowe could have been writing about himself in the character of Faustus, as a way of covering up his own identity and hiding the truth about his studies, due to the risk of punishment or separation from society.

Throughout the play, there are references to the seven deadly sins. In act 1, “How am I glutted with conceit” refers to gluttony, but in this context the selfishness and Faustus’s interests in himself rather than in others. Lust is also referred to in Act 1, “Sometimes like women, or unwedded maids, shadowing more beauty in their airy brows.” This is a sexual lust which Faustus has within him, to find a woman who he can ravish.

Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is a demon which derives from German folklore. The first appearance of Mephistopheles was as a Demon in the Faust legend, and has also been shown as the sterotypical Devil. He has been portrayed in a variety of different ways, whether it be in human form, a painting, a drawing or a modern cartoon...

This is one of my favourite images of Mephistopheles as I like the modern adaptation of it. The fire in the background could represent hell, and Mephistopheles is rising from it, in a stance almost as if he has a burning desire to attack. His clenched fists and large hands represent his strength and how he isn't afraid of anything. He looks very forceful here, almost as if he is breaking free from the chains that he is bound in. His piercing eyes create a sense of evil and destruction, and make the person looking at the picture feel victim to his power. The use of the colour red could show the adrenaline, energy and determination that Mephistopheles has within him. Another connotation of red is leadership, and Mephistopheles is the leader of hell, building up his very own empire.

The Life Of Christopher Marlowe

The ten key events in Christopher Marlowe's life are:

1. His baptism- 26th February 1564. This is reflection of his religion, which was considered very important at the time.
2. 1584- At the age of 20, he was awarded a scholarship at Cambridge and gained a BA. This could have been reflected in the prologue of 'Dr Faustus' "The fruitful plot of scholarism grac'd,
   That shortly he was grac'd with doctor's name."
3. 1587- Saw Christopher change from medicine to literary work, where he moved to the Royal Court Circle. He spent time here gaining inspiration from Sir Walter Raleigh and Lord Admiral's Company of Players. He also wrote 'Tamburlaine the Great' in this year.
4. 1588- 'Dr Faustus' was written.
5. 1589- His writing was well underway with the publishing of the 'Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta'. During this year, Marlowe was accused and charged with murder, though he was later declared not guilty.
6. 1590- 'Edward the Second' written, as well as his most famous work 'The Passionate Shepherd to His Love', which was said to be follwed up by a poem by Sir Raleigh, titled 'The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd'
7. 1592- 'Hero and Leander' written
8. Early 1593-'Massacre at Paris' was acted on stage.
9. Early May 1953- Thomas Kyd arrested due to implying Marlowe was an Atheist and heretic. Warrant for Marlowe's arrest after being accused of heresy.
10. Late May 1953- Marlowe was said to have passed away on the 30th May, reportedly after arguing with friends he was stabbed in the eye which caused his death.

Faustus Prologue

The prologue tells us how Faustus was born into a poor, working class family, and was his “parents base of stock”. This could be interpreted that he acted as the building blocks, his parent’s only hope of accessing the money they needed in order to survive. He later went on to Whittenberg, where his intelligence gained him a “scholarism” and he was “shortly graced with a doctor’s name”. This is significant as it reflects his intellectual abilities. He “excelled all”, and it takes many years to acquire a doctorate qualification, which could show that Faustus has some sort of ‘power’ or ‘supernatural’ talent which allows him success. This could link to him being “cunning of a self-conceit” showing his vast amount of knowledge yet his arrogance towards others and the world, his big-headed and cocky personality. He is described as having “waxen wings”, which links to Greek mythology, the tale of Icarus and his overreaching ambition which lead him into his death, “melting” from the heat of the sun. Could this be foreshadowing Faustus’s life? If he “surfeits upon cursed necromancy” and believes that “nothing” is “so sweet as magic to him”, could he be entering a dangerous and risky world of magic? Could this “cheifest bliss” be joy in hell rather than heaven...



'Doctor Faustus', Source: anitasullivan.co.uk



Short Gothic Story- No Escape

No escape

The storm was raging. With every lightening bolt, I felt another shock of terror surge through my body. By the time it was over, I was frozen with fear…

I heard his footsteps approach me. There was no escape now. The light of the moon beamed down and accentuated his ghastly grimace. I recognised his face from somewhere, but where from? It was a combination of all the horror films I had ever watched, yet this was reality. I was alone, isolated, paralysed in my real-life nightmare.  Gradually, his bony hand glided up my body, his long, sharp fingernails made my skin crawl. He stopped at my neck. As his hand gripped tighter with every breath I took, the pressure built. I realised his intentions. He was the serpent and I was the mouse, the predator and prey. Powerless and unprotected, I envisaged my fate, for there was no escape. His breathing got louder and deeper and my death was on the horizon. I heard screaming. I wasn’t alone. His face dropped, and without haste he let go of my neck and ran out of the room.  Within a few seconds, the screaming had stopped. Silence.

Gothic Symbolism and Representations of The Gothic

The symbols of 'The Gothic' are very distinctive. One of the most common is the colour- black. This symbolises the night, evil, mystery, sadness, remorse, unhappiness and mourning. Ironically, these features are popular themes within Gothic literature. Black can also be seen to express a sense of the 'unknown' or supernatural. As shown in the 'Gothic fasion' post, black is what Goths typically wear. Secrecy could also be represented by black, keeping things in the dark or hidden away.





Pentacle. Source: ayro91.deviantart.com

 Above:This 5 sided star shape represents the elements understood by the Pagans: Air, Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. This symbol can be used in Gothic cultures to represent Satan or death.



Below: An ankh. This symbol demonstrates a strong cultural significance, and is sometimes seen as the key of life. In Egypt, this is used the soul of the dead to a new life.

Gothic Architecture




View of the South transept of Notre Dame, Paris, France. Source: brusselspictures.com



 Gothic architecture became popular during the medieval period.  It evolved from a combination of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. The most obvious and prominent feature of Gothic architecture is the pointed arch, and is component to many abbeys, cathedrals and churches of the 12th Century era. Notre Dame in Paris is one of the most famous examples of Gothic architecture, and was completed in 1935.




Notre Dame, Paris, France. Source: earthinpictures.com



This view of Notre Dame shows the popular pointed arch feature common to these Gothic inspired buildings. These arches evolved from the round arches commonly round in Roman architecture. These arches were purpose built for two specific reasons. The first reason was that the arch is able to reach higher for a given width. The second reason could be seen as a defence mechanism, as they are less visible. This is an important factor when constructing masonry walls, as Gothic arches only produce half the side-thrust of Roman arches...but that's too technical for English literature.

The interior design of Notre Dame. This picture shows how the Gothic design and layout is an interior feature and attraction as well as exterior. The colour scheme also gives a Gothic feel, with dark and dimmed lights, and the use of red for the seating. There is a sense of danger and eeriness which has been carefully created for a purpose, adding a sense of mystery. Source: worldtouristhotspot.blogspot.com



The Gothic arch feature is demonstrated in this photo. The dark colours are carried on throughout the Cathedral, with lighter colours used for 'The Temple Of Reason'. Source: europeantrips.org




'The Temple Of Reason', Notre Dame. Gothic pointed arches are part of this attraction, as are the spikes and turrets. Source: laundelles.wordpress.com



Other examples of Gothic Architecture are:



Sainte Chapelle, France. Source: norstad.org/paris2006/chapelle



Gargoyles are a common feature of the Gothic as they are supernatural and scary. They create a sense of evil and danger, almost devil-like. Source: wishlist.nu/2007/10/22/gargoyle





Royaumont Abbey, France. Source: en.structurae.de





Gothic Fashion



Gothic Fashion, 'ALL BLACK BEAUTY', ELLE, elle.com

In recent times, when the word 'Goth' is used, many of us think of a subculture of people dressed in black clothing, drained of colour. Platform shoes, cloaks, chains, piercings and tattoos. Leather, netting, lace. Thick black eyeliner, pale face.

Girl Above: Tattoos and staple piercings on her arms represent her Gothic nature. Smeared makeup creates the emotion of distress and sadness. Skull could represent death. Source: gothic-nature.com

Man Above: Pale/white face make-up with black eyeliner and eyeshadow which is stereotypical of Goths. The blue coloured contacts create a sense of mystery and fear. Facial piercings are common amongst this culture, but may be seen as abnormal or deviant to many. Source: thestoryofshopping.blogspot.com

However, it is not all doom and gloom. This group of Goths below have incorporated red and purple into their outfits. Red can been seen to have connotations of anarchy, danger and revolution. Purple can create a sense of mystery, spirituality, and in some countries even the colour of mourning the dead. The location of the photo is significant- a graveyard. This adds a ghostly sense to the photo, the rising dead. This can be contrasted with the background bursting with nature, new life and colour.