Did Doctor Faustus Sell his Soul?

Everyone believes Faustus invoked the Devil and sold his soul, but did he? Find out why the legend was the witchcraft trial of a dead man in this rich and vivid story of magic and magicians in the Renaissance. Highly recommended.

Christopher Marlowe, The Tragicall History of Doctor Faustus

The Elizabethan dramatist Christopher Marlowe derived the inspiration for one of his greatest plays from The Damnable Life of Doctor Faustus, published 1592. See Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician.

Top 10 Quotes from Doctor Faustus

1. Sin

   If we say that we have no sin
   We deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.
   Why then, belike, we must sin,
   And consequently die.
   Ay, we must die an everlasting death.

   Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 41-46: Faustus to himself

2. Temptation

   Oh Faustus, lay that damned book aside,
   And gaze not on it lest it tempt thy soul
   And heap God's heavy wrath upon thy head.

   Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 69-71: Good angel to Faustus

3. Power

   How am I glutted with conceit of this!
   Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please,
   Resolve me of all ambiguities,
   Perform what desperate enterprise I will?

   Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 77-80: Faustus to himself

4. Hell

   Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it.
   Think'st thou that I saw the face of God
   And tasted the eternal joys of heaven,
   Am not tormented with ten thousand hells
   In being deprived of everlasting bliss?

   Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 76-80: Mephostophilis to Faustus

5. Repentance

   Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned?
   And canst thou not be saved?
   What boots it then to think on God or heaven?
   Away with such vain fancies and despair,
   Despair in God and trust in Beelzebub.
   Now go not backward. No, Faustus, be resolute.
   Why waverest thou? Oh, something soundeth in mine Ears
   Abjure this magic, turn to God again.

   Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 1-8: Faustus to himself

6. Repentance

   Oh gentle Faustus, leave this damned art,
   This magic, that will charm they soul to hell,
   And quite bereave thee of salvation.
   Though thou hast now offended like a man,
   Do not persever in it like a devil.

   Act 5, Scene 1, Lines 35-39: Old man to Faustus

7. Repentance

   Accursed Faustus, wretch, what hast thou done?
   I do repent, and yet I do despair.
   Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast.
   What shall I do to shun the snares of death?

   Act 5, Scene 1, Lines 68-71: Faustus to himself

8. Beauty

   Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.
   Her lips suck forth my soul: see where it flies.
   Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again.

   Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 99-101: Faustus to Helen of Troy

9. The End

   No, Faustus, curse thyself, curse Lucifer,
   That hath deprived thee of the joys of heaven.
   The clock strikes twelve.
   Oh, it strikes, it strikes! Now body turn to air,
   Or Lucifer will bear thee quick to hell.
   Oh soul, be changed into little water drops
   And fall into the ocean, ne'er be found.
   My God, my God, look not so fierce on me.
   Adders and serpents, let me breathe awhile.
   Ugly hell, gape not, come not, Lucifer!

   Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 191-199: Faustus to himself

10. The Moral

    Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight,
    And burned is Apollo's laurel bough,
    That sometime grew within this learned man.
    Faustus is gone. Regard his hellish fall,
    Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise
    Only to wonder at unlawful things,
    Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits,
    To practise more than heavenly power permits.

    Act 5, Scene 3, Lines 20-28: Chorus to audience

Explore Faustus

• What's it about?
• "A gripping page-turner..." - Prof Osman Durrani
• "A fascinating read" - Pagan Dawn
• "The most thorough treatment" - Dan Harms
• Table of Contents
• Search the index (extended)
• Is it Time to Sell Your Soul? | Watkins Review Article | Dealing with the Devil

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Keywords

Faustus, Faust, magic, black magic, alchemy, astrology, necromancy, witchcraft, grimoires, Germany, Renaissance, sixteenth century, Goethe, Marlowe, biography, history, folklore, legend, Devil, Mephistopheles, pact, damnation, soul

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