Renaissance in Europe
(ca. 1500-1650)
Things to Consider:
-
History (see 2398-99 and also
)
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Theology vs. Science
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Humanism
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Virtue, Fame, Glory
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Ambition
2391:
-
What does "Renaissance" mean?
-
To what process does it refer?
-
How do characters portrayed during this period differ from those of
earlier writers, i.e. Chaucer?
2392:
2393:
-
Who identified the Medieval Period as the "Dark Ages"?
** 2394:
-
(Good Exam Question): What did Virtue, Fame, and Glory mean to
the Renaissance thinker?
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Are Renaissance thinkers truly God-less?
** 2395:
-
(Also Good Exam Question): What is the cause of "Renaissance melancholy"
?
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
-
Who else was born in 1564?
-
How did Marlowe die?
Doctor Faustus (ca. 1592-93)
Things to Consider:
-
Ambition
-
"Good" and "Bad" Angels: What is their role?
-
See pages 2675, 2683, 2687, 2719-20
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Relation to Dante: Allusions, View of Hell, etc.
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Horn Imagery
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Does Faustus get all that he desires?
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Does he get all that he deserves? (See Essay on Faustus )
-
Background Information
-
Another Person's Views
** Discussion Questions:
2672:
-
How does the Chorus function here, as compared to its function in Oedipus,
in Aristotle's thinking, or in its equivalent form in Noh drama?
2673:
2686:
-
Why can't Mephistophilis procure a wife for Faustus?
2687:
-
Why does Faustus want to repent?
-
Why "can't" he?
2689:
-
Why is calling on Christ contrary to his promise to Lucifer?
-
Why do the Seven Deadly Sins appear?
2715:
-
How was Helen "raped" (31)? (See Essay on Helen in Dr. Faustus )
-
What is the purpose of the Old Man at this point?
2716:
-
Does Faustus really repent? If so, shouldn't he be saved?
Explain.
-
Explain lines 98-99.
-
Why does Faustus want to see Helen? What does this desire
reveal about him?
Other Discussion Questions:
Act One:
2673:
-
Why does Faustus reject Logic/Philosophy (10)?
2674:
-
Why does he reject Medicine/Physics (27)?
-
Why does he reject Law (34-36)?
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Why does he reject Divinity in favor of Necromancy (47-50)?
2676:
-
Explain lines 121-23. What historical phenomenon is referred to?
2677:
-
What is the Delphian oracle (143)?
2678:
-
How does Wagner "triumph" over the other two students?
-
What is the significance of Scene 3, lines 8-10?
2680:
-
Why does Faustus call men's souls "vain trifles" (62)?
-
Explain lines 77-81.
-
Explain the offer Faustus makes with Lucifer.
2681:
-
Why does Wagner hire the clown?
-
How is Wagner able to conjure devils?
Act Two:
2683:
2684:
-
Why does Faustus's blood congeal (62)?
-
What does "Consummatum est" mean (74)?
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What does "Homo, fuge!" mean (77)?
2685:
-
Where is Hell?
-
Why does Faustus not care about giving his soul to Lucifer?
2690:
-
Why does this sight delight Faustus's soul?
2691:
-
What is the purpose of Act Two, Scene Three?
-
What do horns signify here?
Act Three:
2692:
-
What does Faustus do once he procures the power he seeks?
2693:
-
Why do they go to visit the Pope?
2694:
-
Explain the significance of lines 90-92. Who is Saxon Bruno?
2695:
-
Who is the Emperor (119)?
-
Why do Faustus and Mephistophilis decide to pretend to be cardinals?
2697:
-
Why does Faustus become invisible?
-
Is there any symbolic significance to the events that follow?
2699:
-
How does the Archbishop explain the pranks Faustus performs?
-
Could this explanation be considered ironic? Explain.
-
What do the bell, book, and candle signify (96)?
2700:
-
What is the purpose of Act Three, Scene Three? How does it relate
to Act Two, Scene Two?
-
How can Robin summon Mephistophilis?
Act Four:
2703:
-
How is Bruno still alive?
-
Why does Faustus appear before Charles V?
2704:
-
Who is Actaeon? Why does Benvolio say he will imitate him?
2705:
-
How does Charles reward Faustus for his performance?
2706:
-
Why does Benvolio want to kill Faustus?
-
What do horns signify here?
-
Why is Faustus wearing a false head?
2708:
-
Why is everyone wearing horns?
2709:
-
Why is the horse-courser upset with Faustus? Didn't Faustus treat
him fairly?
2710:
-
What is a carter?
-
Why is this carter upset with Faustus?
Act Five:
2717:
-
Why does Mephistophilis call Faustus "fond worldling" (12)?
2718:
-
How do the scholars explain Faustus's strange behavior?
-
Why can't Faustus be saved?
2719:
-
Explain: "Fools that will laugh on earth must weep in hell" (95).
2720:
-
How does the vision of Hell, lines 113-124, compare to Dante's
vision of Hell?
2721:
-
Explain lines 154-55.
-
Explain lines 162-68. Is Faustus asking God for forgiveness?
2722:
-
Why will the scholars give Faustus an honorable burial?
-
What moral/lesson does the Chorus impart at the end?
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