Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Doctor Faustus - Prologue

'Not marching now.......heavenly verse...'- the story isn't about love or things around this - it is going to be a story of war and conquest
'...Faustus' fortunes, good or bad....' - suggesting both good and bad deeds are going to be part of the story and Dr. Faustus' life and journey.
'... His waxen wings ..... overthrow..' - reference to Icarus - (flew to close to the sun with wings made out of feathers and wax and when the wax melted he fell to his death) - suggesting that Dr. Faustus is going to fall.
'...necromancy...' - conjuring the spirits of the dead - suggesting that death is going to be involved in the play some way or other but also that magic is is big part of the story and the black arts that Faustus wants to use.
'...devilish exercise...' - the magic that Faustus is falling into is not just silly but is the devil's work and nothing good can come of it.

1 comment:

  1. Good close analysis. Can I read your notes on the first three acts?

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