The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
Chapter 1
Editor's Note
Havelock Ellis introduces the textual history of Doctor Faustus, noting the 1604 first edition, the 1609 second edition, and the 1616 third edition with new scenes and alterations. He discusses the doubtful authorship of the additions, attributing them to a clever imitator of Marlowe, and mentions that William Bride and Samuel Rowley were paid in 1602 for additions. Ellis also explains his adoption of a scene-only division for the play.
Chapter 2
Dramatis Personae
This chapter lists the characters of the play, including Faustus, his friends and servants, supernatural beings, and various supporting roles.
Chapter 3
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
Doctor Faustus, a brilliant scholar, becomes dissatisfied with the limits of traditional knowledge and turns to necromancy. He summons the devil Mephistopheles and makes a pact with Lucifer, trading his soul for twenty-four years of power and pleasure. Throughout the play, Faustus wavers between repentance and damnation, ultimately facing his final hour and eternal punishment.
Chapter 4
Chorus
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 5
Scene I
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 6
Scene II
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 7
Scene III
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 8
Scene IV
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 9
Scene V
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 10
Scene VI
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 11
Scene VII
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 12
Scene VIII
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 13
Scene IX
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 14
Scene X
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 15
Scene XI
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 16
Scene XII
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 17
Scene XIII
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 18
Scene XIV
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 19
Scene XV
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 20
Scene XVI
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 21
Endnotes
This chapter provides extensive endnotes and textual annotations for Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, clarifying historical references, textual variants, and allusions within the play. It includes explanations of classical and medieval sources, corrections to the quarto editions, and contextual background on figures like Cornelius Agrippa and events such as the Antwerp blockade.
