DR FAUSTUS QUOTES

'The reward of sin is death'

Faustus fails to quote the rest of the verse form the Bible, Romans 6:23, 'But the gift of God is eternal life'

'Waxen wings did mount above his reach'

The Chorus refer to Icarus to foreshadow Faustus fall, his ambition will drag him down.

'These necromantic books are heavenly'

Blasphemy and contrast in this sentence show the delusion in Faustus, and how he worships ungodly things

'Ce sera sera'

In his opening monologue Faustus acknowledges that what will be, shall be, perhaps a reflection that his fate is pre-determined.

'Sweet Mephistopheles' 'My Faustus'

Faustus' admiration for Mephistopheles blurry the master-servant relationship and could be interpreted as homoerotic.

'If I had as many should as there be stars, I'd give them all for Mephistopheles'

Faustus' complete devotion to Meph, and the true belief that what he is doing is right.

'Divinity adieu'

Faustus regards the study and devotion to religion as something trivial, yet this is exactly what he ends up doing, only his religious symbols are pentagrams, not a crucifix

'I do repent, and yet I do despair'

Contradiction as despair is the belief that one has no saviour, and to many this is the one most unforgivable sin. Faustus admits that he has no saviour, suggesting therefore he has no God.

'Come not Lucifer, I'll burn my books'

In his last futile attempt to save his soul Faustus suggests burning his books. Bit lighting the written word aflame will not burn the impurities of his soul.

'Ah, Mephistopheles'

These are his last words, he cries out to Meph, not God

'This is hell, nor am I out of it'

Hell is not a geographical place, but the state of ones soul.

'I think hell's a fable'

Faustus is perhaps in denial, and tries to assert his strength by belittling Hell, to hide his fear.

'Think'st thou that I, who saw the face of God, And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, Am not tormented with ten thousand hells In being deprived of everlasting bliss?'

Meph rages that hell is having seen God's face, and thus acknowledges Gods power, yet God does not appear to do so himself in the play.

'But Faustus shan't repent.'

Faustus in ifluanced heavily by those around him, agreeing with the Bad Angel, rather than the good.

'Parents base of stock'

The Dr is a 'self made man,' who came from nothing to his current position.

'Cursed be the parents that engendered me' 'Curse Lucifer.'

He fails to blame himself and jumps to blaming others for his foolish actions.

'Chiefest bliss'

Faustus settles for petty tricks and foolery in return for an eternity in hell, instead of settling for what he had and gaining bliss in heaven.

'A sound magician is a demi-God'

Faustus lusts over power.

'Fools that laugh on earth must weep in hell.'

People will get their comeuppance

'where we are is hell, And where hell is, there must we ever be'

hell is all around, perhaps Faustus is already in hell.

'Leave these frivolous demands'

Meph tries to disuade Faustus

'My blood congeals'

Natural, his body tries to prevent what the mind wants

'Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss'

Faustus even as his time on earth is ending, wishes to be immortal, not to repent. He doesn't ask for Gods forgiveness, he asks for Helens affection.

'There is no chief but Beelzebub'

In refusing to bow down to anyone, Faustus bows down to Beelzebub.

'I am a servant to great Lucifer'

Is Meph ever truly Faustus' servant? Or is he manipulating Faustus in order to gain his soul?