The aim of the final two sessions of the year was to explore the significance of the revealing of THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS in Scene Six of Marlowe's The Tragicall History Of Dr. Faustus. Class discussion explored the the significance of DISTRACTION and SPECTACLE. Students were asked to consider:
- Why Faustus appears to repent as he 'beholds the heavens' then decides that 'I am resolv'd: Faustus shall ne'er repent.' Why does he change his attitude?
- Why does Faustus appear so frustrated with Mephistophilis and then provokes Meph with the line..'Tell me who made the world' ?
- Why does Faustus appear to rebel against Mephistophilis and how does Meph react?
- What is the dramatic significance of the appearance of Lucifer and Belzebub and the spectacle of THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS?
- How should Faustus react having witnessed this spectacle?
- How should Faustus deliver the line: 'O, this feeds my soul'?
The Seven Deadly Sins is basically the representation of Hell on the stage so this needs to be a TERRIFYING and POWERFUL dramatic moment. If this play is to be considered a form of Christian Fable that warns the audience against rejecting divine power, this scene needs to offer an emotional impact. Should Faustus be terrified by this spectacle? WHAT IS MARLOWE'S AIM HERE?
HOMEWORK:
Students need to be reading/listening/watching any versions of Marlowe's play. It is important that students are VERY familiar with the play when we return in January. Students also need to read Frankenstein as the mock exam will be a gothic reality the week after we return in January. The question will ask students to consider the significance of 'TRANSGRESSION' in the novel. Students need to be READING and THINKING. This has been a reasonable term but we clearly still have a lot of work ahead of us. EG/LC owe me homework which I want asap.
We will begin our coursework in January so students need to decide which text they will be using as the focus of their work.
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