Dr. Faustus

[kenkyodeshi]

As well, I hope that most know the Faustian analogy. Faustus gave his soul up for godly wisdom by selling his soul to Lucipher. He gained but he also lost. Hence the Faustian analogy. In the end of the play, Faustus friends come in and find his limbs torn a hew. Now, when did he forever lose his soul. I've heard commentators say that it was when he slapped the pope, making fun of the church, others lean toward the seduction of Faustus by Helen of Troy, an incubus or female demon. Was there a chance of repentance? Or did his chance escape his eyes in his own doings?

[frouella]

Which version are you talking about? Goethe? Marlowe?

[A2k]

Trick question, but nicely phrased. ^_~

In essence he was always doomed to lose his soul, since that was exactly what he had done in effect - signed his soul away to the devil.

However depending on how the reader interprets the tale, one could quite easilly elaborate on key details to ensure that the actions he "didn't" take, could have been interpreted by the reader as being a choice available that would allow him repentance and as such saviour from his impending doom.

I was suprised when I went through this book in college, I actually enjoyed it a reasonable amount, contrary to my feelings and thoughts of: "groan, mumble, mutter, grrr crappy book to read, grrr I don't want to." ^_^

If you enjoyed a tale like "The Faust" / "Dr Fastus" then I might suggest 1984 and A Brave New World.

[EDIT:] I read Marlowe's accounts of the story.

[Shinomori]

Hmm.

I believe he actually "loses" his soul as soon as he signs the devil's contract. After that point, he goes through his fun times, and realizes towards the end the extent of what he has done. At the end, he no longer has his soul, but wishes for it back (which he can no longer have).

So yeah.

[kenkyodeshi]

Marlowe's version, I'm sorry that I didn't mentiont hat earlier