Thinking Activity on Doctor Faustus: A play by Christopher Marlowe

This post is in reference to the questions asked here:
 http://dilipbarad.blogspot.in/2015/08/worksheet-dr-faustus-play-by.html



1.   The play directed by Matthew Dunster for Globe theater ends with this scene (see the image  of Lucifer). What does it signify?

                                            

Ans. : In the above given image we can say that Lucifer is standing at the middle of the stage and from his facial expression we can say that he is very much satisfied as if he has won over the super power. His widen wings also signify that he has great power over evilness.

2.      Is God present in the play? If yes, where and how? If No, why?

Ans.: In this play the God is not present directly, but I feel that as a good angle and old man are the messenger of the God. I think, these two characters have tried to save Dr. Faustus from doing evil works many times. As the God might be knowing that Dr. Faustus would not be able to repent at the end and his soul would go to hell and burn there perpetually. So, the God has tried to save him by different ways. 

3.   What reading and interpretation can be given to this image (see the image of Daedalus and Icarus) with reference to central theme of the play Dr. Faustus?

                                   

Ans. : This picture is about the Greek mythology of  Daedalus and Icarus - who are father and son - caught in a jail which has no ceiling. Among both, father knows to make the wings of wax and they both escape from the jail with the help of wax wings. Father has warned son not to fly high near the sun but, son likes to fly high in the sky and as he reached near the sun, the wax of his wings started melting and he  fell down. 

           We can relate this thing with the play-  Dr. Faustus had started practicing necromancy for more knowledge but afterward his power over wheeled his knowledge. And, thus this error in judgement took place. 

4. How do you interpret this painting?

Ans. : This picture is also related to Daedalus and Icarus. This portrait is known as the " Landscape with the fall of Icarus". From the name of the portrait we can say that when old man looks toward the sky the Daedalus is falling down from the sky and this event gives feeling that the God is coming down to the old man.  Actually Icarus has already fallen in the water before Daedalus where all are busy with their work so no one knows about that.