Dr. Faustus (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

I was completely engrossed in Christopher Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus" after reading it recently. This captivating literary investigation into the murkier corners of human nature deftly combines the attraction of forbidden knowledge with tragedy. In "Dr. Faustus," I found a compelling examination of the human psyche in addition to a timeless story. Strongly recommended for readers looking for a literary journey that is both cerebrally challenging and eerily enchanting.

This is just a modern print of the 1592 play by Christopher Marlowe. It doesn't seem to have changed too much and it's still a pretty good read. Other than that there's not much to say really. This books not going to be for everyone and the language can be rough at times. Still, it's worth revisiting if you read it ages ago or worth jumping into for the first time if you're getting into plays. You can't go wrong with it.

The play Dr. Faustus was written by Christopher Marlowe. Christopher Marlowe, with the nickname Kit Marlowe, was an English writer, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. According to Britannica.com, Dr. Faustus was published in 1604 but performed a decade or so earlier. In addition, this play released a movie in 1967 with Richard Burton. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, Christopher was heavily influenced by William Shakespeare. In addition, he is noted for popularizing the dramatic blank verse in playwriting. Marlow’s life came to an end when he was brutally stabbed during a heated argument with Ingram Frizer, Marlow was only 29. It is sure to say that in the time Christopher Marlowe was alive he made history and wrote plays still read today. According to Enotes, Dr. Faustus is primarily important for the illustrations of the dangers of Renaissance humanism. This is because, in the play, Dr. Faustus is portrayed as the golden Renaissance man, someone who wants to max out all his capabilities in his lifetime, this includes knowledge. The book serves as a great example of why too much and too little of something can lead to your downfall. In a way, it serves as a warning. Dr. Faustus starts by presenting the main character, Dr. Faustus. He was an avid practitioner of various magical arts. This was no love or war story, instead, it involved a budding intellectual who chose to study necromancy. However, this was not enough to fulfill him, and one day he picks up a book of magic. The good and bad angels present themselves when Faustus questions digging into this magic book more. They each provide their advice but eventually, Faustus begins reading. At this time, Mephistopheles presents himself. He is a fallen angel representing lucifer. Eventually, Lucifer and Dr. Faustus develop a treaty where after 24 years of whatever Faustus wanted, he would give up his soul to him. Spoiler alert, at the end of those 24 years Faustus was not able to give in and repent and was dragged to hell. Christopher Marlow has a very particular writing style. For instance, he is known for using his blank verse strategy, this means that this is an iambic pentameter line that’s made up of ten syllables in which each unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one. A great example of this in action is the first sentence, “Not marching now in fields of Thrasimene, where mars did mate the Carthaginians,” (Marlow 1). In addition, he uses Moral Teachings, he created characters where there is a difference between good and evil. The angel states, “O, Faustus, lay that damned book aside, and gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul,” (Marlow 7). This quote is contrasting with what the evil angel has to say to Faustus. Furthermore, Marlow uses comparing and contrasting quotes that are thoroughly used trough the text. He stays, "tasted the eternal joys of heaven... tormented with ten thousand hells," (Faustus 14). These are vastly different and complete opposites to create a dramatic ambiance. In Dr. Faustus, there are many themes but the main one is that knowledge over wisdom. In other words, knowledge is a fast fact in education and experiences. On the other hand, wisdom is unpacking facts through a deeper understanding of life. Dr. Faustus wants quick knowledge and fails to look deeper into wisdom hence his failure and doom. This book has taught me that too much of something and too little of another is always bad. There should be balance in everything you do. In addition, it is never too late to pull yourself out of the hole you’re into. Dr. Faustus was unable to understand either of these things as he completely ignored wisdom and only looked for knowledge. Furthermore, when asked to repent he did not do so and in turn, was required to complete the deal with Lucifer. It taught me that in human experience’s quest for knowledge can at times take over your life. Your passion and drive for something aren’t always good. Next time I see myself too involved in something I will look around to see what else I might be ignoring.

Kinda out there, good read

Dr. Faustus is a great story of hubris, temptation, and regret. It has also been told in so many forms over the centuries that it has had a lasting artistic impact on Western culture, especially in literature and drama. That said, it is a story that everyone who loves books and theater should read.You could find much thicker copies of this work with extensive interpretation, long forewords, and various other analytical and historical additions. Those may benefit you a great deal. Since college, I have often opted for the simplicity and low cost of Dover Thrift editions. They provide just enough additional notation to clarify issues with antiquated word usage and such, while not disttracting me with minutiae and preventing me from getting lost in the story. They may not be impressively bound in leather, but I buy books to read and learn, not to impress.

(WARNING SPOILERS IN REVIEW)This book, written by Christopher Marlowe, was derived from an old German story Faustbuch which comes from the tale of a German astronomer who dissented to the powers of necromancy for power. This is described in detail in the “Note” section of the Dr. Faustus done by Dover Thrift Editions. While this play was not his first book, Dr. Faustus seems to be one of his most famous works from Christopher Marlowe’s short writing career. Bron in Canterbury in 1564, Marlowe attended college at Cambridge University where he received his M.A. Apparently, the college was hesitant to give him this degree due to his, “his frequent absences, or speculation that he had converted to Roman Catholicism and would soon attend college elsewhere,” (Biography.com). Perhaps this streak of misbehavior is why Marlowe’s characters, like Dr. Faustus, are mainly depicted as mischievous and troublemakers.Christopher Marlowe’s unique style of writing was depicted early by one of his earliest works, Tamburlane the Great. This work not only brought fame, but also his new ideas to tragic theater. Christopher courageously depicted his character’s personalities, “earnest portrayal of single personalities who were deeply flawed, often criminal, but still somehow heroic,” (Dr. Faustus: Notes). Examples of this can be found in Dr. Faustus in scenes like the one with the Pope and the Cardinal of Lorrain when Dr. Faustus hits the Pope, “The Pope crosses himself again, and Faustus hits him a box of the ear,” (pg. 33). This scene is not the only one that shows Christopher Marlowe’s humor and love of mischief, there is a similar scene when Dr. Faustus tricks a horse master into paying him fourth dollars by making the man think he has pulled Dr. Faustus’ leg off, “O my leg, my leg!... O lord let me go and I’ll give you forty dollars more.” (pg. 45). Although this humor is slightly morbid and appalling to many, like the story as a whole, it shows Marlowe’s cleverness in making his audience laugh and like the main character even if they do not agree with his actions.Now for the actual tale of Dr. Faustus. Dr. Faustus is a philosopher who loves astrology but has become annoyed with the flow of life and wishes to gain power. To do this, he associates himself with two other philosophers named Valdes and Cornelius. These two are men who engage in the dark arts and teach/encourage Faustus to call upon daemons for help in gaining power. They give him a book to help with his summoning and with it he summons the daemon Mephistophilis, a servant of Lucifer. With his master’s permission, Mephistophilis is able to serve Faustus if he can agree to specific conditions. Faustus must write a contract with Mephistophilis in his own blood and must agree to give his soul to Hell for eternal damnation at the end of twenty-four years. Before Faustus agrees to the arrangement, Meph is sure to warn him of the wickedness of Hell and how tormenting it will be to not have access to Heaven, but at this point in the play Faustus does not believe in the ideas of Heavan and Hell and dismisses the warnings. Now the evil book travels to different people throughout the play including Faustus’ servant, Wagner, and the town fool, but these parts of the tail serve mainly as a point of comedy and good humor. The story of Faustus leads him to causing mischief throughout Central Europe and to becoming a famous wizard praised by the wealthy and elite. Along the way though, many voices try to convince Faustus to repent of his sins and turn back towards heaven, but the greed of power and fear from Lucifer cause Faustus to remain dammed until the end of the play when he finally pleads to God for forgiveness and repents. This is in vain, however, due to his many sins and Faustus is taken into Hell.While this story does not end happily, it serves as an important lesson for many. On the surface, a reader can get the message that greed can lead to self-destruction, but there are underlying themes and lessons within this play. In real life, people encounter daemons who try to pull them to do evil things all the time, but one needs to remember that you always have the power to say no. Meph never tried to convince Faustus that what he was doing was right, in fact he warned Faustus that his actions would lead him to misery in the end, but it was Faustus’ stubbornness that continued to get in his way of salvation, and eventually lead to his doom. Now, whether the reader believes in the concept of Heaven or Hell, your actions still have consequences and can affect how people will see you after you’re gone, so one must not let greed and stubbornness get in the way of true peace.

O livro é baseado em uma peça teatral que deixa a leitura entediante.

The Thrift Edition of Doctor Faustus is a literary gem that offers incredible value for readers interested in classic literature. This edition combines affordability with the enduring brilliance of Marlowe's iconic work, making it accessible to a wide audience.Pros:Affordable Pricing: As part of the Thrift Edition series, this book is incredibly affordable, making it accessible for students, literature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring classic plays.Complete Text: The book contains the complete and unabridged text of Doctor Faustus, ensuring readers experience Marlowe's original work without any omissions.Compact and Portable: The size and format of the book make it easy to carry and read anywhere, whether at home, during travel, or in a study environment.Historical Significance: Doctor Faustus is a cornerstone of Elizabethan drama, known for its exploration of ambition, power, and the human condition. It continues to resonate with readers across generations.Introduction and Notes: The introduction and explanatory notes provide valuable context and insights into the play, enhancing the reading experience and understanding of Marlowe's themes and style.Cons:Thin Paper: The paper quality may be thinner compared to more expensive editions, but it's understandable given the price point and intended affordability.Specific Features:Durable Binding: The book features a durable binding that holds up well to frequent reading and handling.Clear Font: The text is printed in a clear and legible font size, ensuring comfortable reading.Personal Experience:I thoroughly enjoyed reading Doctor Faustus in this Thrift Edition. It allowed me to delve into Marlowe's masterful storytelling and poetic language without breaking the bank. The affordability of this edition makes it a perfect choice for students studying literature or anyone looking to explore classic plays.Recommendation:I highly recommend the Thrift Edition of Doctor Faustus to anyone interested in classic literature and Elizabethan drama. It's an excellent addition to any library, offering an affordable and complete reading experience of one of the most significant works in English literature.

It was in great conditions for being a second-hand item. The notes on the margins will be really helpful at the time of studying the book, so thanks John for making them.

Good examination of human temptation and willingness to drop so low for your own desires.

Great book