Doctor Faustus Summary & Analysis (Marlowe) – Thug Notes

From plot debriefs to key motifs, Thug Notes’ Doctor Faustus Summary & Analysis has you covered with themes, symbols, important quotes, and more.

The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus (1604)
by Christopher Marlowe

Twitter: @SparkySweetsPhd

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[renadamTWELVE]

I'm a UMich English major who brought up this vid in a discussion group, and it raised all kinds of controversy. The wanna-be elitists snubbed their noses... but those more interested in teaching really loved it. I'm in that latter camp: ANYTHING that you can do to bring understanding to people who may not otherwise read great works is doing a solid. Sometimes people get so intimidated by the text that they can't imagine a good story may actually lie within it. This lays it out. FANTASTIC.

[johnhillescobar]

I miss Thug Notes bad. So great series.

[paulplath]

The end about being able to persevere made me feel a little better about my own current life situation. Thanks Sparky Sweets

[phantomwizard]

Yo, you are straight up an awesome educator. Way to inspire others and break down barriers to learning, brother. You keep it real & stay true. You're a champion. From one educator to another: Thank you.

[cuff]

Dude, this a radically different breakdown of a classic story, but it’s remarkably straightforward and simultaneously very specific on key notes. Im an instant fan!

[paulbeye]

During my professorship I learned the true definition of what makes a good educator is being able to explain the most complicated issues in a way anyone can understand. This is critical to someone new to a particular study. Because otherwise you could discourage a person or make them feel inferior and that’s the last thing we wanna do to a student.

Came across this guy on YouTube by chance and I got to say I love the way he presents knowledge. Higher level educators should take a page from his ability to mentor.
Well done. Sir.

[rogerfvb]

"Mephistopheles like, 'fo sho'" Hahahaha

[Ancor]

I absolutely loved Faustus (not Goethe's version with the good ending), it even helped shape my worldview. The lesson is teaches is very simplistic and yet powerful; don't make deals with the devil. This doesn't have to mean a literal devil, it could be any adverse consequence. If you systematically and willingly choose momentary gratification knowing full well what lies at the end, you deserve what lies at the end.

I believe that it's a tale of personal accountability that through its simplicity still holds value today.

[MSOGameShow]

4:48 - 4:53;6:15 - 6:46  It is often said that one of the greatest acts of arrogance is believing that your sins are so horrid that not even God can forgive you.  Great work, Sparky!

[wood]

I'd go to church if we read a thug notes version of the bible.

[CheeseGrenader]

Diggin the analysis, especially "is Fausts condemned to Hell cause he's actin out, or is he acting out cause he's condemned to Hell?"

[Brandon-a-writer]

Also, huge fan of your brand of literary criticism. Hilarious and well read, man. I ordered the book for some Thug Notes swag, to try to get my son into classic literature by reading it. Look forward to your new videos and releases.

[Nancenotes]

Can you do Goethe's Faust, too, sometime?

[GreenKnight]

6:15 to 6:46 AMEN TO THAT BROTHER! That's some righteous truth your lying down for us.

[lettherebehorses]

This came up in my suggestions because I have been watching Dr. Faustus for a review in one of my classes. This is so well done and entertaining! For those who might have a difficult time making out the language from that era, this really breaks things down to a more modernized and fun way of learning. Thanks for sharing!

After the Holy war and crusades, the Catholic church took over. Believing theatre was sinful, they burned down the theatre buildings. Anyone caught performing was put in jail. In that era, much of the congregation was illiterate because education was only available to nobles. Ironically, they ended up needing plays to teach people in the congregation. They came up with what is called "M Plays:" Mystery, Miracle, and Morality Plays. When Queen Elizabeth I (huge fan of theatre) came along to rule England (1558 - 1603), theatre made a huge comeback. Under her rule, new playwrights emerged, new theatre buildings were constructed, and stage plays blew up all over the place.

Christopher Marlowe's (a very prominent playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era) wrote "Dr. Faustus." It was a tragedy with some humor. Rumor has is that this play was so dark that it drove some spectators mad and so, this is why the humor was added. But there is also a moral to the story. As can be seen, the morality style of plays from the past show up in it. Theatre goes as far back as the Greek times (around 490 B.C.) Even today, we see different styles and types of theatre shine through in more recent performances. But in Dr. Faustus, you can see morality shine through (a lesson to be learned) as the audience watches Faustus be carried away by the very darkness he made a deal with.

[msjkramey]

That ending was very uplifting. I'm mid-depressive funk right now and it always feels like it will never end. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to remind you that it will pass, and you guys did that really respectfully without condescension. Thank you

[msablouwill]

This one was great.
A Terry Pratchett 'Thug Notes' would also, I imagine, be interesting

[palaceofwisdom]

Faustus was well off, without purpose, and decided to indulge himself with a very short-sighted decision to live in the now and ignore the long term consequences of the deal he had made.

This seems very applicable to modern behavior, where people live it up on credit and are generally reckless with their own future, deluding themselves that they'll never have to pay the piper, then crying for a break when he comes to collect.

[josephbs]

Went looking for a refresher on the Faust myth and stumbled onto this. So awesome! Can't wait to check out the other vids. Thanks for sharing.

[derby]

It's been a while, but I thought it was implied that the only reason the devil made the deal with Dr. Faustus in the first place was that was the only way to get his soul. In other words, Dr. Faustus was destined for Heaven. But is it truly "destiny" when it can be subverted by simply signing a contract?