The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus | 
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.
pickI 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)
pickPossible 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 😈
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.
pickThe more I ponder the moral ambiguity of this play in the context of the Renaissance, the better it gets! Brilliant!
pickI‘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!
I went to a local vintage market in search of a bread box. I may have gotten sidetracked...
pickNo student can resist the classic tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil
#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
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
👹 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
pickI 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 ☺
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." ?✨
#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 ??☔️
#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 👻
Then come dine with me, and after meat
We'll canvass every quiddity thereof.
Reading this play for college. General rule for reading plays? Skim it, watch the adaption and SparkNotes it.
pickEasily 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.
#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
I was able to pick these up today! 💕 #bookhaul
"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.
"These metaphysics of magicians
And necromantic books are heavenly
Lines, circles, signs, letters, and characters--Ay, these are this that Faustus most desires."
Hell is just a frame of mind.
pickI 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!
