Task Four Dr Faustus

How does Marlowe explore the Gothic themes of over-reaching ambition, sin and evil in the first act of Dr Faustus?
At the beginning of Dr Faustus a soliliquay is used by Marlowe. This emphasises the faith and influence philosopher Aristotle holds on Faustus, indicating an over-reaching sense of ambition as he may aspire to be as influential and powerful with his views as Aristotle was. Faustus deems himself as somebody of extreme intelligence, and therefore somebody who should have a profession which challenges him and holds him in strong social status. The quote 'Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. Wouldst thou make man to live eternally? Or, being dead, raise them to life again?' explores the gothic theme of immortality, relating to sin, as this is the never-ending hellish life which devils lead. Faustus is perhaps suggesting that he wishes to be more than a man somehow, it seems that he wishes to be on a power level with God, which is impossible.
Faustus is in dialectic with himself as his language is referring to becoming an Almighty God, as he has risen from 'his parents base of stock' as quoted from the prologue. It would seem Faustus has gotten a taste for power after successfully becoming a doctor from nothing.
'Si peccasse negamus, fallimur Et nulla est in nobis veritas' shows Faustus saying that mankind is supposedly born out of sin. 'The reward of sin is death. That's hard.' shows that Faustus knows that sinning is not a constructive or good act to commit but knows that death will eventually take everyone in the end. Marlowe uses Faustus' blasphamy 'Divinity is basest of the three' to show that he does not take religion seriously unlike the society which he lives in, and so he is seen as a huge sinner who will inevitably be taken to hell. Marlowe makes this scene very gothic by influencing the reader into believing that perhaps if they also follow Faustus' ways of life, sinning and using blasphamy against the Church, they too will fall into a never ending hell.
Marlowe depicts Faustus freely speaking about sin, showing him as a conceited man, perhaps shining his own views through Faustus', making him appear evil.
Faustus then decides that the ultimate powerful act is black magic, and so he wishes to attempt to conquer and command the spirits, showing an over-reaching sense of ambition and making the reader sink into a view of Faustus as a ruthless, greedy character only after his own power and wealth. Not only does Faustus wish to use magic to his own advantage, he also wishes for a life of luxury and desires which can be forever fulfilled, showing his lack of consideration for others and his undying want for things he perhaps doesn't even need.

Dr Faustus Task Three
Mephistopheles Art...♥
First of all, Mephistopheles Art is based around a demon or the familiar spirit of the Devil. In Doctor Faustus Mephistopheles achieves tragic splendor as a fallen angel who is torn between dark despair and pride.

The photograph shown on the right hand side depicts an apparent 'Mephistopheles' character. His stance and look indicate a sinister and mysterious type of man, who seems to be plotting something, regarding the sheet of paper on the table. This relates to Dr Faustus as he is seen as a character whom many struggle to read due to his differing views of life, for example, his displeasure and disbelief of God and religion. Faustus is viewed Mephistopheles type character because he has no remorse that his soul is in peril. 
The photograph shown above is a      much more cartoon-like image but displays all the aspects that Mephistopheles is supposed to possess. This is an evil image, showing something not human, indicating that people like Faustus are perhaps considered to be 'monsters' like these depicted.

Dr Faustus Task Two 

The Prologues View Of Faustus' Ambitions

The proglogue situated at the beginning of Dr Faustus gives us a brief, intriuging insight into Faustus' apparent ambitions. It introduces us to him as a character, describing some of his traits regarding his personality. The quote  'surfeits upon cursed nemocracy' indicates that Faustus' meddles in practicing things which are considered to be unacceptable and perhaps sinful. The proglogue insists that communicating with the dead spells damage to Faustus' wellbeing.
A background to his early life is briefly mentioned, 'his parents base of stock' gives us the impression that Faustus came from a poor background and has resented this and attempted to work away from this 'class' of people and become his own person. He is seen as an ambitious man who is determined and willing to achieve great things, no matter what the cost of it may be. He studied in Wittenburg and is therefore well educated and intelligent, leading to him being 'graced with doctors name' and therefore becoming a figure of authority.
The quote 'his waxen wings did mount above his reach' gives the reader insight into Faustus perhaps punishing himself. This provides us with an image of him flying to the sun, being burnt and his wings melting. This a symbol of his ego becoming to big with Faustus believing that he can achieve great heights of knowledge by practicing black magic - and then being punished for believing in such unapprovable things. He is therefore brought back down to his apparent place in society when he's 'burnt.'
The prologue is short but insightful as it attempts to describe Faustus as a person without giving a lot away, just hinting at little things. One thing to be sure of is that he is obviously a ruthless and determined character who has built himself up to be somebody that nobody believed he would be. Perhaps he has a taste for power which could lead to uncontrollable situations and perhaps lead to a downfall.

Dr Faustus Task One
The Life of Christopher Marlowe                                    

During the Elizabethan era, a man named Christopher Marlowe was born in 1564 who developed himself into an articulate playwright, poet and dramatist who was well known to people of that time. He chose to live his life in London since he first started to delve into becoming a professional playwright. In regards to his poetry, his use of Blank Verse (a verse without a rhyme, using iambic pentameter) was his most recognised element used so effectively, as well as his idea of the overreaching protagonist. Marlowe and William Shakespeare were close friends, who it seemed greatly influenced one another and when Marlowe's death took place in 1593, Shakespeare perhaps used this to became arguably the best playwright to have ever lived. Marlowe was reported to be an atheist which, in such times of strong religion, was a shocking thing and caused an uproar as he was considered to be an 'enemy of God.' There is also doubt as to whether Marlowe was a straight man, or whether he was a secret homosexual which was again something that was not very well accepted in 16th Century England. 
Marlowe was extremely well educated, as he went to Cambridge University and gained a Masters degree there, showing his great intelligence and mind. 
Some believe Christopher Marlowe to have been an undercover government spy, with many believing that his recruitment into this took place while studying at Cambridge. Because he had hardly any work to show for his masters degree, the university were unsure of whether he deserved the award, however, the Privy Council on behalf of the Queen herself ordered Marlowe to be consented with his 'achievement.' This act caused a lot of speculation regarding what Marlowe was getting up to and why the Queen had personally pardoned him from any mistreatment from the University - hence the spy rumours.
He was accused later on in life of allegations connecting to Blasphemy as Marlowe had apparently written a manuscript containing 'vile heretical conceipts.' 
A warrant was issued for his arrest on May 18th 1593
but was tragically murdered ten days later, meaning that nothing could be done of the situation, causing a mystery unresolved to remain and speculate over. 
Marlowe's Major Writings: Tamburline The Great,  The Jew Of Malta, Edward The Second, The Massacre At Paris, Dr Faustus. 
Marlowe also wrote a poem entitled Hero and Leander.