Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus was published in 1592 and appears to be an example of a Renaissance tragedy. However, many critics argue that Marlowe’sDr. Faustusowes a lot to the medieval dramatic tradition, to be precise, to the morality play tradition. Describing different types of the medieval plays, Philip Tilling claims that “themorality playas a kind of medieval religious play arose alongside the mystery play and was to continue, in modified form, throughout the Elizabethan period,culminating inMarlowe’sFaustus.”1So, Tilling considersDr. Faustusto be “a morality play in a modified form“. In my paper I seeDr. Faustusas a Renaissance tragedy which was to a certain degree influenced by the medieval dramatic tradition and has some characteristic features of the morality play. Proceeding on this assumption, I am going to concentrate on the play, pursuing three following issues:
- to describe the characteristic features of the morality play inDr. Faustus- to point out the features which lead me to interpret it as a Renaissance tragedy - to describe the purpose of the morality play structure inDr. Faustus.Pursuing these objectives, I am, first of all, going to summarise the main characteristics of the morality play in order to see, how to apply them to Marlowe’s play. Then I will concentrate on the differences and similarities betweenDr. Faustusand the morality play on structural and thematic levels. In the last chapter of the paper I will focus on the issue of the function of the morality play structure inDr. Faustus.In conclusion I will summarize my arguments which support the thesis that the play should rather be seen as tragedy than as a morality play.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Morality play as a literary genre
- 2. The role of the allegorical figures in Dr. Faustus
- 3. Faustus: a representative hero of an individual?
- 4. The moral in Dr. Faustus
- 5. The purpose of the morality play structure
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, analyzing its relationship to the medieval morality play tradition while also acknowledging its characteristics as a Renaissance tragedy. The analysis focuses on identifying morality play features within Doctor Faustus, exploring the play's structural and thematic similarities and differences with the morality play genre, and ultimately assessing the function of the morality play structure within the context of the play as a whole.
- The characteristics of the morality play genre and their presence in Doctor Faustus.
- The comparison of Doctor Faustus to the morality play genre on structural and thematic levels.
- The purpose and function of the morality play structure in Marlowe's play.
- The interpretation of Doctor Faustus as a Renaissance tragedy influenced by morality play conventions.
- The role of allegorical figures and representative characters within the play's narrative.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the paper's central argument: that Doctor Faustus, while a Renaissance tragedy, exhibits significant influence from the medieval morality play tradition. It outlines the three main objectives of the paper: to define the characteristics of the morality play present in the play, to identify features that point to its status as a Renaissance tragedy, and to analyze the function of the morality play structure within Doctor Faustus. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed comparative analysis that will explore both the similarities and differences between Marlowe's play and the established conventions of the morality play.
1. Morality play as a literary genre: This chapter provides a definition of the morality play, highlighting its allegorical nature and the symbolic representation of virtues, vices, and spiritual forces through personified characters. The discussion emphasizes the typical morality play hero, who represents all humankind, facing a struggle between good and evil for their soul. The chapter also addresses the common presence of comic elements within morality plays, suggesting multiple interpretations for their inclusion, such as foreshadowing, time transitions, or parody. Finally, the chapter underlines the didactic purpose of the morality play, intended to teach moral lessons to the audience. The chapter sets the groundwork for the later comparison with Doctor Faustus.
2. The role of the allegorical figures in Dr. Faustus: This chapter examines the use of allegorical figures in Doctor Faustus, comparing them to the conventions of the morality play. Characters like Good and Bad Angels, although present, are analyzed as potentially representing Faustus' internal conflict rather than external, supernatural forces. The Seven Deadly Sins are discussed as a clear example of morality play characters, used by Marlowe for dramatic effect and possibly with a degree of irony towards their traditional moral weight. The chapter also explores the use of "representative characters" such as Valdes, Cornelius, and Mephistopheles, examining their roles in leading Faustus towards temptation and damnation, while also acknowledging the more individualized nature of some characters like Mephistopheles.
Keywords
Morality play, Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe, Renaissance tragedy, allegory, allegorical figures, representative characters, Good and Evil, Seven Deadly Sins, temptation, damnation, moral lesson, dramatic structure, thematic analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and the Morality Play Tradition
What is the main focus of this analysis of Doctor Faustus?
This paper examines Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, analyzing its relationship to the medieval morality play tradition while also considering its characteristics as a Renaissance tragedy. The analysis focuses on identifying morality play features within Doctor Faustus, exploring structural and thematic similarities and differences with the morality play genre, and assessing the function of the morality play structure within the play.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the characteristics of the morality play genre and their presence in Doctor Faustus; a comparison of Doctor Faustus to the morality play genre structurally and thematically; the purpose and function of the morality play structure in Marlowe's play; the interpretation of Doctor Faustus as a Renaissance tragedy influenced by morality play conventions; and the role of allegorical figures and representative characters within the play's narrative.
What are the key chapters and their respective summaries?
The analysis includes an introduction establishing the central argument and objectives. Chapter 1 defines the morality play genre, highlighting its allegorical nature and didactic purpose. Chapter 2 examines the role of allegorical figures in Doctor Faustus, comparing them to morality play conventions and analyzing characters like the Good and Bad Angels and the Seven Deadly Sins. The analysis concludes with a summarizing conclusion.
How does the analysis define the morality play genre?
The analysis defines the morality play as a genre characterized by its allegorical nature, the symbolic representation of virtues, vices, and spiritual forces through personified characters, and a typical hero representing all humankind, facing a struggle between good and evil. It also notes the common presence of comic elements and the didactic purpose of teaching moral lessons.
How does the analysis interpret the allegorical figures in Doctor Faustus?
The analysis interprets the allegorical figures in Doctor Faustus in relation to morality play conventions. While characters like Good and Bad Angels are present, they are analyzed as potentially representing Faustus' internal conflict. The Seven Deadly Sins are discussed as clear examples of morality play characters used for dramatic effect. The analysis also considers "representative characters" like Valdes, Cornelius, and Mephistopheles, examining their roles in leading Faustus towards temptation and damnation.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis regarding Doctor Faustus and the morality play tradition?
The overall conclusion argues that Doctor Faustus, while a Renaissance tragedy, demonstrates significant influence from the medieval morality play tradition. The analysis highlights both the similarities and differences between Marlowe's play and the conventions of the morality play, demonstrating the function of the morality play structure within the context of the Renaissance tragedy.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Morality play, Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe, Renaissance tragedy, allegory, allegorical figures, representative characters, Good and Evil, Seven Deadly Sins, temptation, damnation, moral lesson, dramatic structure, thematic analysis.
- Quote paper
- MA Anna Fedorova (Author), 2004, The Influence of the Morality Play on Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66432
