Dealing with the Devil

The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus (first performed in 1594), commonly known as Doctor Faustus, is a tragic drama penned by Christopher Marlowe. The narrative was a popular one across much of Europe at the time, around the dawning of the seventeenth century: a respectable and learned man, Faustus, becomes dissatisfied with his life and turns to a deal with the devil to satisfy his lust for power, riches, and fame. Marlowe’s adaptation of this story followed hot on the heels of the original German folktale’s 1592 arrival into the English language. The play progresses at great speed through scenes of ambition, misunderstanding, and the terrible finale of the doctor’s downfall. It is a product of its time, rich in Renaissance anxiety about human reason, the temptation of forbidden desires, and the fragility of Christian salvation. The tale of Faustus’ fate is both sobering and spectacular, as it relentlessly holds a mirror to the audience.