The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

by Christopher Marlowe

Overview

The Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, commonly referred to simply as Doctor Faustus, is an Elizabethan tragedy by Christopher Marlowe, based on German stories about the title character Faust, that was written sometime between 1589 and 1592, and might have been performed between 1592 and Marlowe’s death in 1593. Two different versions of the play were published in the Jacobean era, several years later. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is based on the Faust story, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge. On a deeper level, this play shows the decay of a person who chooses material gains (by commanding the devils to suit his desires) over spiritual belief and in doing so loses his soul. Doctor Faustus was first published in 1604, eleven years after Marlowe’s death and at least twelve years after the first performance of the play.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788121254144
Publisher:	Arts & Science Academic Publishing
Publication date:	06/30/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	72
File size:	140 KB

About the Author

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was an English playwright and prominent figure in Elizabethan literature. During his brief career, which lasted six years, he produced seven plays including Dido, Queen of Carthage, The Jew of Malta and The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. Marlowe’s works showcased morality and individualism as well as political and social commentary often deemed controversial. Despite criticism, his plays were highly successful and would go on to inspire many, including the world’s greatest dramatist—William Shakespeare.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Text; Notes.

Editorial Reviews

This combines annotated and modernized versions of Marlowe's 1604 text, plus the 1592 English translation of an earlier German text on which Marlowe based his play. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal