The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe, based on the Faust story, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge.

Related Topics:
Christopher Marlowe - Faust

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Two versions of the play exist, one dated to 1604 and the other to 1616. The second text shows considerable editing and extension and seems to have been posthumously extended by other hands. It is believed to have been the second of Marlowe's plays given a public performance, and also the first dramatic reworking of the Faust tale.

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It is probable that Marlowe developed the story from a popular translation, The English Faust in short title , of 1592 from a German edition of 1587. The development of the play is very close to the book, especially in the mix of comedy and tragedy.

Related Topics:
1592 - 1587

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The play is in blank verse and prose in thirteen scenes (1604) or twenty scenes (1616). Blank verse is largely reserved for the main scenes while prose is used in the comic scenes. Together with Faustus, the main characters are Faustus' servant Wagner, Mephistopheles (also spelled "Mephistophilis"), the demon with whom Faustus deals, a set of clowns in a mocking subplot, a host of simplified and allegorical figures, and a Chorus.

Related Topics:
Blank verse - Prose - 1604 - 1616 - Wagner - Mephistopheles

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