Scene 4 of Dr. Faustus

A general overview of the scene

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  • Created by: Becca
  • Created on: 07-03-10 21:35

Scene 4

Faustus gives the Emperor a magic show and conjures devils to look like Alexander the great. He also causes horns to appear on sceptical Knight.

Faustus is using his skills and life much differently to how he planned in Act 1. This scene contains no signs of his earlier hestitation and we could conclude that he is happy without considering the dreadful consequences of his actions.

He is very courteous to the Emperor and recieves the gurantee of immunity from punishment. This dramatic irony shows that Faustus will suffer damnation for his magic and this is out of the hands of the Emperor.

Faustus is keen to retain some kind of reputation for virtue which almost makes him a likeable character which then prepares the audience for the horrors of damnation in the scenes to come.

Thy fatal time draws to a final end

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Scene 4 cont.

Towards the end of his life Faustus is involved in the low comic scenes using his magic to gain money and impress uneducated people.

He appears to be losing clarity and a sense of identity especially by cheating the horse carrier.

His behaviour as a petty charlatan materialising a false leg to trick the horse carrier is contrasted with his reaction to the Duke of Vanholt's invitation which is close to servality.

In the courts of Duke of Vanholt he is represented as a magician and a learned man.

Other themes occur here: Faustus servility to the nobility; eating and appetites. Here too we see women treated as bodies rather than as people (the Duchess of Vanholt)

O, what a cozening doctor was this!

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