Today's session looked at the use of classical allusions in the play. Reference was made to the significance of Faustus believing himself to be a Paris figure in the penultimate scene. He appears to view himself as a romantic hero as he sexually desires the demonic representation of Helen of Troy. Students were asked to consider the significance of Faustus using the language of romantic love when confronting the form of a demon that 'LIVELY RESEMBLES' H of T! Why is the romantic language 'Oh, thou art fairer than the evening air Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars'...so repulsive and disturbing? How does Marlowe want the audience to view Faustus here? The class were asked to consider the SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE of Faustus indulging in a sexual embrace with a demon!! He desires evil...think about it folks!! Marlowe amplifies his distorted perception of good and evil. How should the audience react at this moment?? Reference was made to the allusion to Jupiter and Semele and the significance of Semele being consumed by flames. This could be considered as a forewarning of the fate that Faustus will receive in the final scene when he is dragged into the fire of hell. The Semele reference was linked to the myth of Icarus at the beginning of the play. Students were encouraged to consider the significance of these images of humanity being destroyed by fire.
Class discussion considered the symbolic significance of the Helen of Troy moment and revisited the symbolic significance of THE OLD MAN. If the play is a fable, this scene is MASSIVE as THE OLD MAN represents the power of faith. His defiant and fearless death needs to be compared with the terror and fear experienced by Faustus when faced with his own physical death....'REGARD HIS HELLISH FALL'.
The final section of the lesson considered the question:
'ALTHOUGH FAUSTUS IS EVENTUALLY PUNISHED, THE PLAY IS ESSENTIALLY A CELEBRATION OF SIN RATHER THAN A MORALITY TALE'.
To what extent do you agree with this view of the play?
Class response was excellent. Good work chaps and chappettes.
HOMEWORK: Complete the Anthology coursework. Rebecca is the only student yet to receive feedback. I will address this asap. Check your email RL. I expect students to be sending me work this week. At the end of next week we begin writing FAUSTUS/SECTION B essays so this week is a big week for the Anthology work.
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