Today I'm going to tell You about the play „The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus” which was written by Christopher Marlowe. This tragedy is his most popular work written in 1588 and published for the first time in 1604, eleven years after Marlowe's death. The story of Faustus was inspired by figure of german alchemist, astrologer and magician Johann Faust who is also known from drama „Faust” of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in which a man makes a pact with the Devil and decides to exchange his soul for unlimited knowledge, power and various pleasures.
The work begins with chorus, and during this opening we find out that Faustus was born in Roda of lower class parents but still his story is worth telling. At the beginning of the book we know that the story of Faustus will have a bad end, because he is compared to Icarus, and as we know Icarus had waxen wings and fell down when he flew too close to the sun. We read there too that Faustus lived later in Wittemberga, where was brought up by cousins. Then he became a doctor of theology. Unfortunately he chose magic.
He wanted to be a doctor and find a medicine of immortality and he planned to study books about magic, metaphysics and necromancy.
In the story of Marlowe there are two angels. Bad and good. Good angel wants Faustus to read the Bible instead of magic books and Bad angel says that after reading these books Faustus will be able to control the elements. Faust is wondering about the benefits of Pact with Devil who could do everything for Faustus and so he would be powerful.
Faustus asks for advice his two friends: Valdes and Cornelius. They both see only the benefits for all three. They decide to help him in the first trials of magic. When his friends go out, there appear two students who ask Wagner - Faustus's servant - where is his master. He gives a mysterious answer and because of this the students guess that Faustus began to engage in magic like his friends: Valdes and Cornelius. They decide to tell everything the rector.
Afterwards Faustus comes on stage to make magic. He calls Mephistophilis. Because he is too ugly, Faustus wants Mephistophilis to appear as Franciscan. The devil decides to ask Lucifer for permission to serve Faustus. He explains to him also that Lucifer was once one of the angels, but because of pride and insolence he became a devil. Mephistophilis says too that the hell in on earth, because there is no possibility of seeing God. Faustus wants Mephitophilis to tell Lucifer that he gives a soul in exchange for 24 years of Mephistopohilis' service.
Afterwards two angels come to Faustus. The good one tells Faustus to abandon magic. Bad angel tells him to think about honors and wealth. Faustus calls Mephistophilis. He has a permission from Lucifer to serve Doctor. Faustus must first sign with his blood a document given by the devil. He hurts his arm but his blood clot. The devil brings him fire. Faustus signs and then on his shoulder he sees the words „Homo, fuge” (Man, get out - człowieku uciekaj). Faustus reads Mephistophilis the list of his demands, for example: that Mephistophilis has to be his servant and will do and give Faustus everything what he wants.
Good Angel tells Faustus that God will have mercy on him. Bad Angel denies. Faustus decides to never repent. Good Angel persuades Faust to repent and he asks Christ for help. Lucifer, Mephistophilis and Belzebub who enter reprimand him for speaking about Christ. Faustus promises to improve. Then devils bring Seven Deadly Sins: pride (pycha), greed (chciwość), wrath (gniew), envy, gluttony (obżarstwo), sloth and lust.
Faustus travels a lot with Mephistophilis. They visit Rome where Faustus becomes invisible and can play tricks on the pope. Faustus goes to Charles V. He asks Faustus for proof of his skills, for example by calling the spirit of Alexander the Great. Faustus does this.
At the end of the drama Faustus feels that he's dying. He is crying despairs that he has to go to hell. He can't ask God for help because devils restrain him. Faustus admits students to a pact with the devil. When midnight strikes, the devils take him to hell.