The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus: Enriched edition. From the Quarto of 1604

by Christopher Marlowe, Alexander Dyce (editor)

Christopher Marlowe's 'The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus,' drawn from the Quarto of 1604, is an enduring work of English literature that delves deep into the Faustian legend. Marlowe's version, brimming with Gothic elements, is a heady exploration of ambition, knowledge, and the supernatural, delivered in his celebrated blank verse. The genius of Marlowe's work lies in its complex moral and theological undertones, as he summons the spirit of Renaissance humanism to battle the medieval doctrines of predestination and damnation. Marlowe's eloquent diction and the masterful rhythm of his verse situate 'Doctor Faustus' as a precursor to the blossoming of Elizabethan drama, setting the stage for subsequent playwrights, notably William Shakespeare. Christopher Marlowe himself was a figure as enigmatic and daring as his characters. A contemporary of Shakespeare, his works were known for their controversial and revolutionary nature. Insights into Renaissance thought, combined with Marlowe's reputedly unconventional life and his eventual mysterious death, arguably fed into the creation of Faustus—a protagonist who reflects Marlowe's own relentless pursuit of personal liberty and scorn for the orthodoxies of his time. Marlowe's Doctor Faustus is compelling not only because of its dramatic content but also because it is a mirror into the author's soul. 'The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus' is recommended to readers who seek to comprehend the breadth of the human condition through literature. Its dramatic scenes captivate, its eloquence in dialogue enlightens, and its intellectual challenges persist. Scholars and enthusiasts of Renaissance literature, as well as those reflecting on the eternal dilemmas regarding knowledge, power, and human frailty, will find Marlowe's seminal work both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving. This DigiCat edition extends an invitation to engage intimately with a masterpiece that continues to resonate through the centuries.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2019

About the author

Christopher "Kit" Marlowe (baptised 26 February 1564) was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. The foremost Elizabethan tragedian next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his magnificent blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his own mysterious and untimely death.

The author's Wikipedia page.