Christopher
Marlowe
He was the first great
poetic voice of Elizabethan age and he was the first who composed in blank
verse. He was born in the same year of Shakespeare, 1564. He studied at Cambridge. During his
study he was probably recluted to work as a spy for the protection of the
queen. He was stubbed in a brawl at a London
tavern and was killed. It doesn't know if this was an accident or a murder
linked to his work in espionage. In fact his quarrelsome character is a state
of fact. His rebellious personality comes out in his works that are all of
polemical nature: rebellion against the Church, the limitation of knowledge,
contemporary moralism.
Doctor Faustus, the plot
Dr. Faustus, student
of Wittenberg,
has shut himself up in his study to decide his future. He knows all there is to
know about law, medicine, theology, but he is still not satisfied. He knows
that necromancy involves the forbidden pact with demons. He called two magicians
to instruct him in this art and he invokes the spirit of Mephistopheles. He promises
to give his mortal soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years to knowledge.
While he is waiting for a Lucifer's reply he starts to have second thoughts. An
Good angel tell him it is never too late. Lucifer agrees to take is soul, but
Faustus must sing a contract with his blood. Mephistopheles provides a show to
distract him and Faustus sings the contract. Faustus falls in a state of
bitterness and contemplates suicide. He pray God but only Lucifer appears him.
Then Faustus decide to enjoy the time he has left. Faustus desires come true.
After various adventures, Faustus return home to meet his fate. He tries to
stop the clock in a desperate attempt to save his life, but midnight arrive and
Lucifer leads him away to hell.
[ Picolo appunti ]
