Back to: Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Summary
We learn from Wagner that Faustus’s end is approaching. He appears with two or three scholars and Mephistopheles. The scholars wish to see the Helen of Troy. Faustus fulfils their desire. The scholars then depart.
Old men appear and scold Faustus for his sinful life. 24 years are about to complete now. The old men are afflicted with pain and torture by Mephistopheles. However rather than submitted to him, they consider the torture as a test of God.
Faustus is seen in quite miserable condition. The scholars advise him to pray but he says that the devils will teat him apart. He tells the that his end is near and now they should leave.
One hour is left to his death. Faustus appeals to the planets and the sun to stop moving. He thinks of God and sees a vision of Christ’s blood flowing in the sky. One drop and even half of that blood can save his soul.
However soon the vision of Christ fades away. Faustus appeals to earth for shelter and also begs too stars but in vain.
Half an hour is left. Faustus makes another appeal to God for mercy. He prays if God would not have mercy on his soul, He should at least fix a limit to his damnation. Nothing happens.
He prepares to live in hell. Clock strikes. Roar of thunder is heard and flashes of lightning are seen. Devils appear and Faustus is terrified. He sees the “fierce” look in the eyes of Devils.
He appeals them not to take him. They refuse. He then begs to Lucifer but gets negative response. Mephistopheles appears and devils then take away Faustus.
Chorus appears on the stage and speak the epilogue about the God of Learning i.e. Dr Faustus. Chorus calls upon all wise men to keep away from ungodly practices. The wise people merely wonder.
In first half of this scene some light is thrown on Faustus’s human feelings. Faustus is full of self-pity. Scholars are full of sympathy on him. Faustus’s talk with scholars is highly moving and arouses a deep feelings of sympathy in us.
The second half scene shows the excruciating pain that Faustus undergoes just before his death. The speech of the chorus contains the moral of the play. Hence it is a morality play.
