Question

8 . Which play is Marlowe′s masterpiece ? What is the story of the play ? “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus”is Marlowe′smasterpiece . It is based upon a German legend . The hero,Doctor Faustus, is a young and brilliant scholar . The chieffeature in his character is an insatiable thirst for knowledge .He is tired of studying philosophy, medicine, law and divin-ity, and turns to the study of magic in order to understandand possess the kingdoms of the earth . Thus, by incanta-tions at night he has raised Mephistophilis, the Devil′s ser-vant . He is told that if he sells his soul to the Devil, he canlive twenty-four years “ in all voluptuousness”, withMephistopheles at his command . Then Faustus agrees to dothat and signs the bond with his own blood .After the contract with the Devil, Faustus makes a tourin the universe on a dragon′s back . Then he gives a displayof his magic art and plays tricks upon the Pope at a banquet .He conjures the spirit of Alexander the Great in a king′scourt . Finally he marries the most beautiful lady in theworld, Helena of Greece .The last scene deals with Faustus′death .The tragedy of Doctor Faustus is symbolic of ahumanist in the age of Renaissance .

Accepted Answer

Part Ⅳ The Renaissance

正面	8 . Which play is Marlowe′s masterpiece ? What is the story of the play ?
《》	Part Ⅳ The Renaissance
背面	“The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus”is Marlowe′s masterpiece . It is based upon a German legend . The hero, Doctor Faustus, is a young and brilliant scholar . The chief feature in his character is an insatiable thirst for knowledge . He is tired of studying philosophy, medicine, law and divin- ity, and turns to the study of magic in order to understand and possess the kingdoms of the earth . Thus, by incanta- tions at night he has raised Mephistophilis, the Devil′s ser- vant . He is told that if he sells his soul to the Devil, he can live twenty-four years “ in all voluptuousness”, with Mephistopheles at his command . Then Faustus agrees to do that and signs the bond with his own blood . After the contract with the Devil, Faustus makes a tour in the universe on a dragon′s back . Then he gives a display of his magic art and plays tricks upon the Pope at a banquet . He conjures the spirit of Alexander the Great in a king′s court . Finally he marries the most beautiful lady in the world, Helena of Greece . The last scene deals with Faustus′death . The tragedy of Doctor Faustus is symbolic of a humanist in the age of Renaissance .

Doctor Faustus Play Marlowe′S Masterpiece Renaissance Magic Devil