Faustbook, Background
A short presentation on the legend of Faustus and how Christopher Marlowe came to write his play, how Marlowe came to die and a recitation of Faustus ...
Faustbook: A Narrative Poem in the Manner of Five Acts
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About
This narrative poem in the manner of a five-act play (with excursus) was inspired by research I had done for teaching Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. I read it first when I was fourteen, finding in particular the count-down to death at midnight, like an execution, terrifying and poignant. His play incomplete, his fallen philosopher also unfinished, tantalized me then, and had recurred for my imagination in my maturity.The poem therefore has an adolescent attitude, but it is an old man’s ideas.***You may purchase a copy from Amazon.comHere!***Advisory: students of the Faustian legends will recognize the authentic elements of its tradition: that it affronts Catholic Christianity with mawkish slander; that Faustus doubts his religion; that Mephistophiles is a sensualist; that evil and good struggle and often evil prevails; that conscience contends and is confused. These are the original themes. Offense is not intended. Neither is the tale censored.
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 1
Chorus speaks: We are outside a house in Württemberg, Anno Domini Fifteen-hundred and Ninety-two. Mummers herald the holiday.***Image is a Black Holet...
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 2
A scholar’s gloomy study with a desk cluttered with writings and surrounded by shelves of books***Music excerpt is Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Choral...
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 3
Main room of Faustus house, a large long table occupies the center, laden with food, many chairs about the table. Faustus in the center, seated, is fl...
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 4
We are in the scholar’s study again. Many candles are lit in many places around the room; and now on closer view by panning and close-ups, we see the ...
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 5
On New Year’s eve, Faustus sits in his gloomy study, pondering the sunset which he sees by its glorious inference upon the frosted panes of his mullio...
Faustbook Act 1 Scene 6
Again in Faustus’ study, which is lit now by light of a single candle that shines upon his face; the solitary image in the darkness***Image is a still...
Faustbook Act 2 Scene 1 (& Interlude)
In the marketplace: carts of goods, slaughtered livestock and vegetables such as stored for winter; stalls of freshly baked breads and cakes and other...
Faustbook Act 2 Scene 2
A woods on a summery day, a mountain is above and beyond the horizon of the forest, distantly, a pearly cascade plunges from its peak and where it cra...
Faustbook Act 2 Scene 3
A child’s room in the home of one who is well-to-do by standards of the sixteenth-century, probably an official of some dukedom whose wealth is acquir...