Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Plot Summary

Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan tragedy Doctor Faustus, also known as The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, is based on German tales concerning the titular Faust character. It was most likely created in 1592 or 1593, just before Marlowe passed away. A few years later, in the Jacobean era, the play was printed in two separate versions.

Characters

• Doctor John Faustus: A learned scholar in Germany during the fifteenth century becomes dissatisfied with the limitations of knowledge and pledges his soul to Lucifer in exchange for unlimited power.
• Wagner Faustus' Servant: He tries to imitate Faustus' methods of reasoning and fails in a ridiculous and comic manner.
• Valdes and Cornelius: They are the two German scholars who are versed in the practice of magic and who teach Faustus about the art of conjuring.
• Lucifer: King of the underworld and a fallen angel who had rebelled against God and thereafter tries desperately to win souls away from the Lord.
• Mephistopheles: A prince of the underworld who appears to Faustus and becomes his servant for twenty-four years.
• Good Angel and Bad Angel: They are the figures who appear to Faustus and attempt to influence him.
• The Clown: Who becomes a servant of Wagner as Mephistophilis becomes a servant to Faustus.
• Horse-Courser: He is a gullible man who buys Faustus' horse, which disappears when it is ridden into a pond.
• The Pope: The head of the Roman Catholic church, whom Faustus and Mephistophilis use as a butt of their practical jokes.
• Charles V: Emperor of Germany the emperor who holds a feast for Faustus and at whose court Faustus illustrates his magical powers.
• Knight: A haughty and disdainful knight who insults Faustus. In revenge, Faustus makes a pair of horns appear on the knight.
• Duke and Duchess of Vanholt: They are a couple whom Faustus visits and for whom he conjures up some grapes.
• Robin: An ostler who steals some of Dr. Faustus' books and tries to conjure up some devils.
• Rafe (Ralph): is a friend of Robin's who is present with Robin during the attempt to conjure up devils.
• Vintner: A man who appears and tries to get payment for a goblet from Robin.
• Old Man: Appears to Faustus during the last scene and tries to tell Faustus that there is still time to repent.
• Seven Deadly Sins: Alexander, Helen of Troy, and Alexander's Paramour Spirits or apparitions appear during the course of the play.

Summary

Faustus is by himself in his study, reflecting on his accomplishments. He concludes that he has achieved preeminence in all intellectual pursuits. He debates expertly and is well-versed in all logic treatises. He's such a talented doctor that he has warded off the plague in entire cities. He is familiar with all the legal nitpicks, but he considers them tedious.

In terms of theology, he rejects two verses from the Bible that say all men will eventually pass away. He considers his accomplishments and concludes that necromancers are the only realm that offers success, pleasure, strength, honor, and omnipotence. Then he commands Wagner to call up Valdes and Cornelius, who will aid him in summoning ghosts.

The Good and Evil Angels appear while Faustus waits for both German scholars. He is told by the Good Angel to put the "damned book" of magic aside and read the Bible instead. It is the Evil Angel who appeals to Faustus' goals. Faustus loses himself in a vision of the things he can accomplish with magic as he learns more about it.

Faustus greets Valdes and Cornelius when they show up and informs them that he has chosen to practice magic since he discovered law, philosophy, medicine, and theology to be unsatisfactory. The entire globe will soon be at its apex, Valdes assured Faustus, if they cooperate. Faustus nods in agreement and informs the two guys that he will perform a conjuration later that evening.

To learn more about Faustus, two academics visit Wagner. Wagner utilizes a flimsy academic argument to convince the two researchers that they shouldn't have asked the query rather than providing a direct response. He eventually admits that Faustus is inside with Valdez and Cornelius after demonstrating an absurd level of disputation knowledge. The two academics worry that Faustus has turned to magic at this point. To "see if he by his grave advice can reclaim" Faustus, they intend to consult with the Rector.

The first time Faustus decides to use incantation. He murmurs a lengthy passage in Latin that is made up of verses that deny the existence of the trinity and call for the creators of the afterlife. Then, Mephistophilis makes an ugly appearance, and Faustus declares that the man is too hideous.

He commands Mephistophilis to vanish and then reappear as a Franciscan monk. Faustus is thrilled to have the ability to summon this fiend. shortly as Mephistophilis comes back, Faustus realizes that a devil will manifest whenever the moniker of the trinity is cursed rather than because of his conjuration.

When Faustus queries Mephistophilis about Lucifer, he discovers that this individual is a fallen angel who rebelled against God out of pride and insolence and was banished into hell. Mephistophilis responds to Faustus' questions regarding the nature of hell by saying that it exists wherever God is not.

Mephistophilis receives a reprimand from Faustus for feeling so passionately about missing out on heaven's pleasures, and he is then sent back to Lucifer with a proposal that he trades his spirit for twenty-four years of unrestricted power. Faustus dreams of the wonderful exploits he will carry out with his newfound authority after Mephistophilis departs.

The clown is approached by Wagner, who informs him that he is aware of the clown's unemployed status. He charges him with being so broke he would exchange his soul for a raw mutton shoulder by selling it to the devil. The clown maintains that if he had to get into such a risky deal, he would demand that his mutton be at least roasted in a delectable sauce. Wagner requests the clown's seven-year service. Wagner promises to have lice rip the clown apart if he continues to refuse.

The poor clown is frightened by Baliol and Belcher, two devils who are summoned by Wagner after he gives him some French money and threatens to have a devil summon him in an hour if he refuses to become his servant. Wagner assures the clown that he will give him instructions on how to call forth these demons. The clown accepts the deal but requests instruction on how to transform to a flea on an attractive wench.

Faustus seeks to strengthen his own resolve to reject God and devote himself exclusively to Lucifer while he is alone himself in his study. The Evil Angel and the Good Angel are seen. The Good Angel cautions Faustus to consider heavenly matters, while the Evil Angel emphasizes the importance of wealth and power. Upon deciding to consider wealth, Faustus summons Mephistophilis, who then informs him that Lucifer will accept the deal if it is signed with Faustus' blood.

While writing, Faustus stabs his arm, but the blood congeals. After the deal is done, Faustus starts to inquire once again about the nature of hell, but as Mephistophilis explains it, Faustus grows doubtful and rejects the idea. The talk suddenly shifts to Faustus' desire for a bride, who informs Mephistophilis that he feels lustful and lascivious.

He is persuaded not to want a wife by Mephistophilis, who then offers to bring him whatever paramour or courtesan he wants. Before Mephistophilis departs, Faustus requests three books: one for knowledge of the planets and the heavens, one for knowing plants and animals, and one for incantations and spells. Faustus starts to feel regret for signing a deal with the devil. Mephistophilis tries to comfort Faustus by assuring him that humans are more magnificent than everything in heaven and that heaven is not such a glorious place.

Both the Good Angel and the Evil Angel make an appearance and attempt to sway Faustus' choice. The idea that he is doomed haunts Faustus. In response to Faustus's pleadings for Christ to help him, Lucifer himself comes. He is reminded by Lucifer that thinking about Christ is a violation of his word. He claims to have brought some amusement to distract Faustus.

On the way to Rome, Faustus describes the journey over the Alps and the many cities. Mephistophilis recounts Rome to Faustus after informing him that he has decided to access the pope's apartment. Mephistophilis turns Faustus invisible as they get ready to enter the pope's apartments.

Faustus plays pranks on the pope and a group of friars by stealing their plates and drinks as they enter. He then punches the pope in the ear. Mephistophilis and Faustus start beating the accompanying friars and throwing pyrotechnics among them while they sing a dirge to drive away the evil spirit that appears to be there.

As he enters, Robin the ostler shows that he has taken a book from Faustus' collection and holds it in his hand. To make every village maiden appear in front of him and dance naked, he plans to master conjuring. When he enters, Rafe (Ralph) informs him that a man has arrived to have his horse cared for.

Robin brushes him off and tells him that he has greater things to accomplish, like using his recently stolen book to summon a devil. They both depart to clean their shoes and resume the conjuring after he makes a commitment to get Ralph the kitchen maid. A silver goblet that Robin appears to have stolen from a winemaker is carried by Ralph and Robin. Robin is overjoyed with his new purchase, but the winemaker shows up right away and insists that the goblet be given back to him.

Insisting he does not own the goblet, Robin consents to be searched. The goblet is not visible to the vintner. Robin starts reciting incantations from Faustus' book in the meantime. Mephistophilis is called forth by these incantations, who then materialises, scatters some fireworks behind them, and briefly vanishes. Robin returns the vintner's goblet in terror. Mephistophilis makes a second appearance and laments having to travel all the way from Constantinople because these careless slaves employed incantations without being able to comprehend them.

Emperor Carolus informs Faustus later at the German court that he has heard rumors about his magical abilities and would like to see some evidence of the man's prowess. Faustus replies modestly that he is not as skilled as the rumours claim, but he will try to win the emperor's favour. The emperor wants Faustus to resurrect Alexander and Alexander's lover because he doubts nobody would ever reach Alexander the Great's greatness.

Mephistophilis departs at Faustus' command and returns with two ghosts in the form of Alexander and his lover. Faustus requests that the cynical knight be asked to come back. The knight has horns on his head when he first emerges. The approaching end of his allotted time causes Faustus to get anxious. A horse-courser suddenly walks in and asks if Faustus will buy his horse for $40. Although Faustus is eager to sell his horse, he cautions the buyer against ever riding it into the sea.

After the horse-courser leaves, Faustus starts thinking about his death sentence before dozing out. Returning in a huff, the horse courser accuses Faustus of defrauding him. He rode the horse into a pond because he believed it to possess some sort of mystical attribute. He was sitting on a bundle of hay when the horse vanished from under him, and he nearly drowned.

Faustus has just dozed off for the first time in eight days, so Mephistophilis warns the horse-courser to keep quiet. The horse-courser wakes Faustus up by pulling on his legs and asks that he return his money. When Faustus' entire leg falls off, he is shocked. He makes a commitment to give Faustus an additional $40 since he is so terrified. Faustus agrees to meet with the aristocratic man when Wagner enters to inform him that the Duke of Vanholt requests his company.

Faustus asks the pregnant duchess at the court of the duke of Vanholt whether she has a craving for any specific delicacies. She wants some ripe grapes even though it is January. The duke is perplexed as to how this was possible when Faustus sends Mephistophilis to find them. According to Faustus, he dispatched his spirit to India to seek them out. The duchess declares the grapes to be the nicest she's ever had. The duke assures Faustus that he will give him a huge reward for doing him this favour.

Scholars are debating who is the most attractive woman in the world when Faustus enters the room. It is believed by scholars to be Helen of Troy. Faustus pledges to revive her from the grave and allow the students to witness her in all her grandeur and glory in exchange for their friendship with him. Helen moves across the stage as the music begins to play. The academics praise her beauty and give Faustus thanks for letting them view her "paragon of excellence."

Faustus admits to being dejected about what is about to happen to him to the three scholars who are with him. He acknowledges that his sins are too enormous for him to be pardoned. Faustus feels he is unable to call on God since he has rejected and blasphemed him, despite the intellectuals' encouragement to do so.

Ah, my God, I would cry, but the devil keeps my tears from flowing! . . . I would lift my hands but, see, they hold them, they hold them!" In his speech to the scholars, Faustus claims that he has committed the precise sins that God forbids man to commit: "For vain pleasure of twenty-four years hath Faustus lost eternal joy and felicity."

Faustus and the others acknowledge that no one is going to be able to assist him, but one of the academics offers to stick by him until the very end. The last minutes must be faced by him alone. When the clock strikes eleven after the academics have left, Faustus realizes that he has exactly one hour remaining before being damned for all eternity. He suffers because he understands that he will be denied the everlasting joy and will instead have to endure everlasting torment.

He begs for his fate to not be eternal when the clock strikes half past eleven. If finally, he might be saved, he would endure a hundred thousand years of suffering. He begs God to spare him from his harsh gaze as the clock strikes twelve. The devils show up to drag him away as lightning and thunder burst across the stage.