Faustus Scenes 5 6 Calvinist Theology a theology

Faustus Scenes 5 -6

Calvinist Theology - a theology popularized by John Calvin which states that man is saved by God through grace and proposes the idea of predestination • In developing the character of Faustus, Marlowe states that he went to Wittenberg University. • Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon, both Protestants who were part of the Reformation, also attended Wittenberg. • It is possible that Marlowe is using the play to comment on the Calvinist Theology, which was followed in the Elizabethan Church.

Calvinism in the 1500 s • Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned. • Only a select few people (the elect) are saved. • This was theology of the Elizabethan Church. • If Faustus is not one of the elect, then he will not be able to repent. He is already one of the damned. • Does Doctor Faustus really have free will?

How do you describe Faustus? Resolute or fickle? Does he seem peaceful? • Faustus: Now, Faustus, must Thou needs be damn’d, and canst thou not be sav’d: What boots it then to think of God or Heaven? Away with such vain fancies, and despair: Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub. Now go not backward: no, Faustus, be resolute. Why waverest thou? O, something soundeth in mine ears “Abjure this magic, turn to God again!” (scene 5, lines 2– 9)

How many times have we seen him wonder about his decision?

How many times have we seen him wonder about his decision? • Both openings of scene 5 and 6, and before when we read scenes 1 -4. • This conflict keeps showing up. What’s the literary term for that?

Motif - an element that is threaded throughout a literary work and helps to develop a major theme of the work • What motif is played out with these two things? • Good and Evil Angels • internal conflict that Faustus experiences.

Motif - an element that is threaded throughout a literary work and helps to develop a major theme of the work • What motif is played out with these two things? • Good versus evil • Good and Evil Angels • internal conflict that Faustus experiences.

What happens when Faustus tries to make his vow official?

What happens when Faustus tries to make his vow official? • His blood congeals • wonders if his own blood is trying to stop him from taking this action • Mephistophilis gets coals that keep the blood warm so it will remain liquid • this enables Faustus to write the vow and sign it.

What themes can you see through this scene?

What themes can you see through this scene? • free will versus fate • Faustus is not able to give his soul to the Devil on his own • Mephistophilis has to help him by providing something that will stop his blood from congealing • salvation versus damnation • As soon as Faustus finishes signing the document, he sees writing appear on his arm: “Man, fly!” • He even asks himself where he would go because he believes that God will not take him. • The words may be a sign from God telling Faustus that he should turn back from this decision. Or they might be Faustus’s own soul trying to warn him (just as his blood congealing may have been).

Doubts and Conviction • What happens each time that Faustus deals with his doubts?

Doubts and Conviction • What happens each time that Faustus deals with his doubts? • Talks himself out of it • renews his conviction to continue with the action he has already chosen • tries to convince himself that the decision was a good one.

Does Faustus believe his own words? • What God can hurt thee, Faustus? Thou art safe; Cast no more doubts. Come, Mephistophilis, And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer; — Is’t not midnight? Come, Mephistophilis; Veni, veni, Mephistophile! (scene 5, lines 27 -31)

Faustus is continually conflicted • When the angels appear to him again, he actually calls upon God, saying: “Ah, Christ, my Saviour, Seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul. ” When Lucifer reprimands Faustus and commands him not to think of God, Faustus responds by saying that he will follow after Satan.

• Faustus: Nor will I henceforth: pardon me in this, And Faustus vows never to look to Heaven, Never to name God, or to pray to him, To burn his Scriptures, slay his ministers, And make my spirits pull his churches down. Lucifer: Do so, and we will highly gratify thee. Faustus, we are come from hell to show thee some pastime. Sit down, and thou shalt see all the Seven Deadly Sins appear in their proper shapes. Faustus: That sight will be as pleasing unto me, As Paradise was to Adam the first day Of his creation. Lucifer: Talk not of Paradise nor creation, but mark this show: talk of the Devil, and nothing else. —Come away! (scene 6, 90– 99)

juxtaposition the literary device of placing two elements (ideas, characters, or events) together in order to show a comparison or contrast between them When does Marlowe use this?

Angels • Notice that the two angels always appear to Faustus together • neither one of them appears on his own without the other. • External or internal conflict? What are they? • O video