What Does Act 2 Scene 1 Tell Us About Dr Fausrus' State of Mind
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- Category: English: Plays
- Date Submitted: 05/29/2014 06:49 AM
- Pages: 3
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As Faustus enters his study, thus commences his soliloquy in which he faces the decision of selling his soul to the devil.
His decision seems to be made up even by the first line. ‘Now Faustus, must thou needs to be damned,’.
He has accepted his damnation, indicating an already unstable consciousness and we should assume that his first decision is final, however as we read on the arguing ensues, furthermore leading us to question his sanity.
Marlowe emphasises this fragile state of mind with his use of the word ‘Despair’ which he uses twice in a row; once at the end of the fourth line and again at the beginning of the fifth, meaning the word is said twice in a row with a pause in between. This means that the audience would be particularly drawn to this word, focusing on Faustus’ desperation.
On line 6-9 we see faustus struggle with his ‘definite’ decision.
Faustus refers to himself in third person: ‘Ay, and Faustus will turn to God again.’ The line before this was finished with an exclamation mark, which has been left out from this line, signifying the diminishing enthusiasm he had in ‘turning to god’.
There is a sense of arrogance and self-importance when he refers to himself as Faustus. We could even say that the reason for him to be selling his soul is because he feels superior to everyone and can only greater his knowledge with supernatural help.
His use of third person could also link to an almost split personality due to his unstable state of mind. He is so sure of his decision in the beginning so the way he argues with himself leads us to believe he is uncertain and frightened. However, it would be normal to wrestle with such a decision but with Faustus he goes from definite certainty to uncertainty. ‘To God? He loves thee not.’ Only 6 syllables are used in this line amidst lines that follow the iambic 10 syllable metre. The actor would have to pause once completing the line, stressing the meaning and putting importance on the fact that he...
His decision seems to be made up even by the first line. ‘Now Faustus, must thou needs to be damned,’.
He has accepted his damnation, indicating an already unstable consciousness and we should assume that his first decision is final, however as we read on the arguing ensues, furthermore leading us to question his sanity.
Marlowe emphasises this fragile state of mind with his use of the word ‘Despair’ which he uses twice in a row; once at the end of the fourth line and again at the beginning of the fifth, meaning the word is said twice in a row with a pause in between. This means that the audience would be particularly drawn to this word, focusing on Faustus’ desperation.
On line 6-9 we see faustus struggle with his ‘definite’ decision.
Faustus refers to himself in third person: ‘Ay, and Faustus will turn to God again.’ The line before this was finished with an exclamation mark, which has been left out from this line, signifying the diminishing enthusiasm he had in ‘turning to god’.
There is a sense of arrogance and self-importance when he refers to himself as Faustus. We could even say that the reason for him to be selling his soul is because he feels superior to everyone and can only greater his knowledge with supernatural help.
His use of third person could also link to an almost split personality due to his unstable state of mind. He is so sure of his decision in the beginning so the way he argues with himself leads us to believe he is uncertain and frightened. However, it would be normal to wrestle with such a decision but with Faustus he goes from definite certainty to uncertainty. ‘To God? He loves thee not.’ Only 6 syllables are used in this line amidst lines that follow the iambic 10 syllable metre. The actor would have to pause once completing the line, stressing the meaning and putting importance on the fact that he...