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Doctor Faustus
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
'...make me immortal with a kiss' Doctor Faustus is a play about desire: for the best in life, for knowledge, power, material comfort, and influence. Faustus sells his soul to the devil hoping to learn the secrets of the universe, but is fobbed off with explanations which he knows to be inadequate. He is obsessed with fame, but his achievement as a devil-assisted celebrity magician is less substantial than it was previously as a scholar. Marlowe's most famous play is a tragedy, but also extremely funny. It involves hideous representations of the Seven Deadly Sins, and of Helen of Troy, the world's most beautiful woman. With its fireworks and special effects, it was one of the most spectacular and popular on the Elizabethan stage. Yet, ever since Marlowe's death, it has been regularly rewritten. Its mix of fantastical story, slapstick, and raw human emotion still arouses conflicting interpretations, and presents us with endlessly fascinating problems. This student edition is based on the earlier so-called A-text of the play, with the B-text scenes included in an appendix. It contains a lengthy Introduction with interpretation of the play in its historical and cultural context, stage history, discussion of the complex textual problems, and background on the author, date and sources.
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Aimeesue
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Going through the books I rescued from the discard pile at the Book Sorting this week - I saved this one because of the paper and the woodcuts. 1953 edition, printed by the Caxton Club of Chicago, one of 350 copies. The cover's a mess, so it's probably not worth much, but it is gorgeous and I shall keep it.

Leftcoastzen Very Beautiful! I would keep it too!😁 1y
IndoorDame @Aimeesue @Leftcoastzen I would have snagged it too. I adore old books! 1y
LeahBergen Lovely! 1y
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Bookwomble Yep, a keeper! 1y
Aimeesue @Leftcoastzen Glad I'm not alone here! 1y
Aimeesue @IndoorDame I love old things - the ones that are still around are evidence that someone cared for them along the way. I love the history there. And they were (typically) so well made! 1y
Aimeesue @LeahBergen I do love a pretty book 😍 1y
Aimeesue @Bookwomble I thought so too! I find a lot of good things in the discard pile because they just won't sell at the Book Sale. The discards typically go to library sales or thrift stores, but one of my jobs is to sort discards into trash/recycling (we get a LOT of damaged, stinky, or water warped books) and those to be donated. I can keep whatever good ones I find there. Dangerous for my shelves, but I do love the hunt! 1y
34 likes8 comments
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Argon
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Pickpick

I watched the Globe On Screen recording of this play from a few years ago and just read the original text tonight. There was a lot of physical comedy and spectacle added into the stage performance, though the playtext sets this up with scenes like “haunting” the Pope or parading Helen of Troy. Very enjoyable to watch and read, I wish it was performed more often!
9/10
#DoubleBookSpin (April)

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
18 likes1 comment
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AFrostCauseReads
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Pickpick

Possible alternative title: Fun Things To Do With The Demon You Sold Your Soul To

If you ever wanted to find out where the term ‘Faustian Bargain‘ comes from, or see an example of good vs evil angels on your shoulders, or if you just like tragic Elizabethan plays, read this classic 😈

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KVanRead
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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As I munched on this post-breakfast fortune cookie (😂), it struck me as kinda literary. I was suddenly inspired and thus #LitFortuneCookie was born! A game in which you tag the book this fortune cookie brings to mind and tag some friends( and me too!)

The first one to pop into my head was Dr. Faustus cuz, well the whole deal with the Devil thing, but I want to know what you think!

Repost or tag a book in the comments.

KVanRead Tagging some folks here to get the ball rolling but please join in everybody and please share with friends @LeahBergen @vivastory @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Annie1215 @batsy @Tanisha_A @Nute @britt_brooke @MrBook @Book_Fiend_Melissa @Megabooks 3y
Ruthiella That fortune cookie would work for Anna Karenina! 3y
LeahBergen Hmm... let me think on this. 🤔 3y
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KVanRead @Ruthiella ooh, yes, poor Anna is a good example! 3y
KVanRead @LeahBergen Kk 😊 look forward to your thoughts! 3y
Nute Love this new challenge idea! I‘m on it! Thanks for the tag!💕 3y
MsMelissa @LeahBergen I was thinking that I‘d have to give this one some thought, too, and then I realized my current book fits perfectly! 3y
MsMelissa Thank you for the tag ☺️ 3y
LeahBergen @Book_Fiend_Melissa @KVanRead Wait... Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (well, referring to every kid in the book BUT Charlie). 😂😂 3y
saresmoore @Ruthiella Anna Karenina was my first thought, too! 3y
KVanRead @Nute Yay!👏 3y
KVanRead @LeahBergen Too right! There‘s a reason he wins that contest 👏 3y
KVanRead @saresmoore it really is kind of perfect for her - too bad she didn‘t stop for an egg roll and get this good advice 😂 3y
Tanisha_A Off the top of my head, i'd say Harry Potter series. So many instances when that happens. I am going to think of more titles 😁 3y
KVanRead @Tanisha_A ooh Harry Potter for sure - all those Death Eaters to start with among others. 3y
35 likes16 comments
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SpiderCrafts
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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🍺😈 Day 5 #7days7spines

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Tamra
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Pickpick

The more I ponder the moral ambiguity of this play in the context of the Renaissance, the better it gets! Brilliant!

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i.z.booknook
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Pickpick

I‘m not sure if I enjoy this play or not... I think maybe I do?

The reason I feel underwhelmed by it is because once Faustus gets his powers, he doesn‘t do much with them, just trivial things and it feels like a big bunch of nothing.

But that is the point the play is trying to make! He wanted these powers to do great things and ended up not doing anything and shouldn‘t have stretched beyond himself and so actually the play is very successful!

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TheKidUpstairs
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I went to a local vintage market in search of a bread box. I may have gotten sidetracked...

Djspens 💗💗💗Nancy Drew! 6y
Cathythoughts 😂 nice breadbox (edited) 6y
TheKidUpstairs @Cathythoughts I could probably stack them into a nice, box-like shape, right?! 😂 6y
See All 13 Comments
knittedgnome Haha that happens!! 6y
Nebklvr Son of a trickster! Think that is on my tbr 6y
AlaMich I have boxes of those old yellow Nancy Drews. My dad couldn‘t wait to get them out of the garage! 😂 6y
TheKidUpstairs @AlaMich I'm slowly collecting them all. I ❤ Nancy Drew 😁. If I ever get a tattoo, it will be the classic Nancy with magnifying glass silhouette. 6y
AlaMich @TheKidUpstairs Would you be interested in adopting mine? It would be nice to know they were going to a good home! 😊 6y
SleepyDragon But did you find a bread box? Lol 6y
TheKidUpstairs @NeesyBeth 😂 Still no luck on the bread box front! 6y
TheKidUpstairs @AlaMich That's so sweet of you! I would love them, but I hesitate because I feel like the shipping would be atrocious. 6y
AlaMich @TheKidUpstairs I will investigate shipping costs. I could just send a selection; maybe if there are specific titles you‘d like, I can see if I have those. I‘d really like to gift them to you, so we will figure this out. 😊 6y
AlaMich @TheKidUpstairs My email is amwolf1 at mac dot com 6y
90 likes13 comments
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everfree7
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
Pickpick

No student can resist the classic tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil

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SpiderCrafts
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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#Greed Faustus comes as a reminder to watch some YouTube reenactments again. 😄 It's hilariously good, as a greed ego and downfall play. #ReadingResolutions @Jess7

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TheKidUpstairs
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Then come and dine with me, and after meat
We'll canvas every quiddity thereof.
For ere I sleep I'll try what I can do;
This night I'll conjure though I die therefore.

#SoldMySoul
#TuneIntoNovember
@Cinfhen @Robothugs

merelybookish Good one! 6y
Cinfhen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Centique Well done! I completely forgot this one even though I studied it at uni. Gosh I‘m getting old and forgetful! 6y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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youneverarrived
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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👹 Faustus exchanges his soul with the Devil for knowledge and power. I can‘t really remember that much about it. For one of my modules at uni I had to study two plays - this and Othello, and I absolutely loved Othello but this was just ok for me. #emojinov

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Jas16
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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A scientist who goes too far and loses himself to gain more knowledge. #thefly #monstermadness2017

LibrarianRyan 👍🤓👻 6y
58 likes1 comment
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HannaPolkadots
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this more than I did Goethe's Faust, I think it was clearer and both more funny and more tragic in a way. Also, way easier to read ☺

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SpiderCrafts
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I found this bookmark in Doctor Faustus, which may have been from a tiny bottle of amethyst gems. ? It's the kind of thing my folks might randomly find on the desk shelf, thinking, "Well, that figures." ?✨

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SpiderCrafts
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#aneeyorekindofread I'm pretty much thinking of a stage reenactment play ? Doctor Faustus in an Eeyore onesie, mustering above melancholy, to the opening lines; "Settle thy studies Faustus, and begin to sound the depth of that thou wilt profess." The whole rise and fall would be hilariously epic! #aprilbookshowers ??☔️

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SpiderCrafts
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#shelfie At my PC desk shelf slot. I'm starting to get a Shivers collection going, knowing a few shops for more along the way. Doctor Faustus is a great devilish theatre play to give another reread sometime. #aprilbookshowers 👻

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dannykat
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Then come dine with me, and after meat
We'll canvass every quiddity thereof.

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dannykat
Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe
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Reading this play for college. General rule for reading plays? Skim it, watch the adaption and SparkNotes it.

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SpiderCrafts
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Pickpick

Easily my favourite, quick read and reread, classic play. It's the darkly hilarious 'Faustian bargain' of one man's thrill for knowledge and magical power, rather meagrely in exchange for his soul. The stage idea of Faustus rambling to himself, boasting a stubborn proud ego, makes the humour. - My mother said it figures I'd like this cover art 😅 I imagine soul struggles as a divine wrestle of angels and demons in tights.

SpiderCrafts Light-up gargoyle, from Chapters. 🤣 I wore out the battery. 7y
MaleficentBookDragon ❤️💜💙 the gargoyle! 7y
20 likes2 comments
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SpiderCrafts
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#alltheworldsastage I discovered this classic play book at a used book shop, and really enjoyed the evil laugh. I remember the opera scene in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows seemed to be based on Faustus 😂 I'd totally love to attend that! 😈 #feistyfeb

SpiderCrafts MTGs Demonic Tutor would have made another great card bookmark 😄 I once had the new one; gifted it to a friend. (edited) 7y
22 likes1 comment
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ElizaTodd
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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I was able to pick these up today! 💕 #bookhaul

britt_brooke The Elizabeth Smart one is a tough read, but very good. I read it right after it was released while we still lived in SLC (which, of course, is where a large portion of the story takes place). 7y
Gayan N0S4A2💖 7y
ElizaTodd @britt_brooke I'm interested in reading more about her story, I don't know very much about the case! @Gayan Yes! I'm very excited for that one, wanted it since Christmas!! 7y
AGirlAndHerBooks I *really* loved NOS4A2. My favorite Joe Hill. ❤ 7y
55 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Bridge2Books
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"Had I as many souls as there be stars, I'd give them all for Mephastophilis." *
*I liked this quote alone however, the full context of the scene is much different. Faustus has abandoned the Word of God to perform magic and summons a devil, Mephastophilis. Faustus wants Mephastophilis to go tell Lucifer that he gives his soul to him in the blind belief that hell is not fiery damnation but rather where the old philosophers are.

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Chey12
Dr. Faustus | Christopher Marlowe, Martowe
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"These metaphysics of magicians
And necromantic books are heavenly
Lines, circles, signs, letters, and characters--Ay, these are this that Faustus most desires."

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GoneFishing

Hell is just a frame of mind.

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akfreeborn
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Pickpick

I never read the Marlowe play as a student. This has it all, Satan and his servants, good and bad Angel and a tragic ending that you really can see coming. Signing a contract with the devil in blood probably won't end well. Surprisingly entertaining! Glad I read it!

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