Jan 3, 2010

Doctor Faustus | Act 1 Summary

Prologue
The chorus enters, explaining that the play tells the story of a scholar named Faustus, who, like Icarus, "his waxen wings did mount above his reach."

Act I, Scene i
Faustus contemplates his accomplishments and plans his future endeavors. He considers, then rejects, philosophy, medicine, law, and theology before deciding to study magic. Significantly, Faustus rejects theology because of a misunderstanding of the relationship between divine justice and Christian mercy.

A good and bad angel appear, urging Faustus to resist and indulge in...