Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Dr Faustus (New Mermaid Series) by Christopher Marlowe, Marlow, Roma Gill ISBN: 0-393-90059-2 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: June, 1990 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.10 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.65 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: NOT a rendition of Faust
Comment: This book is NOT a rendition of Goethe's Faust, as one reviewer mentioned. Marlowe wrote the original version (Doctor Faustus), and Goethe rewrote it with his own ideas of forgiveness in Faust. Both versions should be read, as they are often quite different in plot and, espeically, conclusion. Almost competely different stories, both are worth reading for their theological and spiritual value. Doctor Faustus is a quick and easy read, but filled with great stuff! A must read for anyone who appreciates classical literature.
Rating: 5
Summary: My soul for profit, delight, and power.
Comment: At age 29 Christopher Marlowe was apparently stabbed and killed in an argument over a tavern bill. In his short life he left a remarkable legacy of four great plays and exerted considerable influence on another young playwright, William Shakespeare.
The Tragicall History of Dr. Faustus, or simply Dr. Faustus, is the story of a brilliant scholar whose thirst for knowledge and power leads him to trade his soul to Lucifer.
As we first encounter Faustus, he is systematically dismissing further study of Aristotlean logic, Galen's teachings on medicine, Justinian's works on law, and the study of divinity; Faustus is already the acknowledged master of these subjects. Only the study of necromancy can offer him greater profit, delight, and power.
Faustus through incantations summons Mephistophilis, servant of Lucifer, to negotiate a trade for his soul. Mephistophilis urges Faustus to reconsider, but Faustus is adamant: "Had I had as many souls as there be stars, I'd give them all for Mephistophilis."
Faustus recklessly forges his agreement with Lucifer, his body and soul to be forfeit after 24 years of service from Mephistophilis.
Again and again Faustus calls upon Mephistophilis for delights and power and hidden knowledge. Mephistophilis obliges, and Faustus increasingly distances himself from God. Occasionally Faustus has misgivings and considers repentance, but fails to act, due partly to persuasion and threats from Mephistophilis - if thou repents, devils shall tear thee in pieces.
The intensity builds as Faustus repeatedly rejects God's offer of mercy and forgiveness, and we are never quite certain whether he will repent or not. Marlowe occasionally lowers the growing intensity by interspersing brief episodes of humor with tragedy, a convention quite familiar to Elizabethan audiences.
This inexpensive Dover edition offers only sparse footnotes, but footnotes are seldom needed.
Christopher Marlowe's other works included his two part drama Tamburlane the Great, The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, King of England, and The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta.
I recently read Doctor Faustus, edited by Michael Keefer and published by Broadview Press (ISBN 0-921149-59-X). The detailed introduction, comparisons between the 1604 and 1616 versions, and source material make it a good choice for English literature majors.
Rating: 5
Summary: The devil at play
Comment: Well, the other reviews seem to talk about German legend, Goethe, spying, and being stabbed in a pub, so I'll skip all that. I'll just say that this is one of my favorite plays.
Here's an idea: why not order ten or so copies of this very reasonably-priced play and have your friends over for a Dr. Faustus party? You will need old costume dresses and some fresh fruit. It will be fun. It's better than Trivial Pursuit, anyway.
 |
Title: Goethe's Faust by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Walter Kaufmann ISBN: 0385031149 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 04 December, 1962 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
 |
Title: Volpone by Ben Jonson ISBN: 0486280497 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 20 May, 1994 List Price(USD): $2.00 |
 |
Title: Faust: A Tragedy: Interpretive Notes, Contexts, Modern Criticism (Norton Critical Editions) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Walter W. Arndt, Cyrus Hamlin ISBN: 0393972828 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $21.30 |
 |
Title: The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan ISBN: 0486404331 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 20 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $1.50 |
 |
Title: Doctor Faustus : The Life of the German Composer Adrian Leverkuhn As Told by a Friend by John E. Woods, Thomas Mann ISBN: 0375701168 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 27 July, 1999 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
