Dr. Faustus (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays) Paperback – October 20, 1994

This is just a modern print of the 1592 play by Christopher Marlowe. It doesn't seem to have changed too much and it's still a pretty good read. Other than that there's not much to say really. This books not going to be for everyone and the language can be rough at times. Still, it's worth revisiting if you read it ages ago or worth jumping into for the first time if you're getting into plays. You can't go wrong with it.

I was completely engrossed in Christopher Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus" after reading it recently. This captivating literary investigation into the murkier corners of human nature deftly combines the attraction of forbidden knowledge with tragedy. In "Dr. Faustus," I found a compelling examination of the human psyche in addition to a timeless story. Strongly recommended for readers looking for a literary journey that is both cerebrally challenging and eerily enchanting.

The play Dr. Faustus was written by Christopher Marlowe. Christopher Marlowe, with the nickname Kit Marlowe, was an English writer, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. According to Britannica.com, Dr. Faustus was published in 1604 but performed a decade or so earlier. In addition, this play released a movie in 1967 with Richard Burton. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, Christopher was heavily influenced by William Shakespeare. In addition, he is noted for popularizing the dramatic blank verse in playwriting. Marlow’s life came to an end when he was brutally stabbed during a heated argument with Ingram Frizer, Marlow was only 29. It is sure to say that in the time Christopher Marlowe was alive he made history and wrote plays still read today.According to Enotes, Dr. Faustus is primarily important for the illustrations of the dangers of Renaissance humanism. This is because, in the play, Dr. Faustus is portrayed as the golden Renaissance man, someone who wants to max out all his capabilities in his lifetime, this includes knowledge. The book serves as a great example of why too much and too little of something can lead to your downfall. In a way, it serves as a warning.Dr. Faustus starts by presenting the main character, Dr. Faustus. He was an avid practitioner of various magical arts. This was no love or war story, instead, it involved a budding intellectual who chose to study necromancy. However, this was not enough to fulfill him, and one day he picks up a book of magic. The good and bad angels present themselves when Faustus questions digging into this magic book more. They each provide their advice but eventually, Faustus begins reading. At this time, Mephistopheles presents himself. He is a fallen angel representing lucifer. Eventually, Lucifer and Dr. Faustus develop a treaty where after 24 years of whatever Faustus wanted, he would give up his soul to him. Spoiler alert, at the end of those 24 years Faustus was not able to give in and repent and was dragged to hell.Christopher Marlow has a very particular writing style. For instance, he is known for using his blank verse strategy, this means that this is an iambic pentameter line that’s made up of ten syllables in which each unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one. A great example of this in action is the first sentence, “Not marching now in fields of Thrasimene, where mars did mate the Carthaginians,” (Marlow 1). In addition, he uses Moral Teachings, he created characters where there is a difference between good and evil. The angel states, “O, Faustus, lay that damned book aside, and gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul,” (Marlow 7). This quote is contrasting with what the evil angel has to say to Faustus. Furthermore, Marlow uses comparing and contrasting quotes that are thoroughly used trough the text. He stays, "tasted the eternal joys of heaven... tormented with ten thousand hells," (Faustus 14). These are vastly different and complete opposites to create a dramatic ambiance.In Dr. Faustus, there are many themes but the main one is that knowledge over wisdom. In other words, knowledge is a fast fact in education and experiences. On the other hand, wisdom is unpacking facts through a deeper understanding of life. Dr. Faustus wants quick knowledge and fails to look deeper into wisdom hence his failure and doom.This book has taught me that too much of something and too little of another is always bad. There should be balance in everything you do. In addition, it is never too late to pull yourself out of the hole you’re into. Dr. Faustus was unable to understand either of these things as he completely ignored wisdom and only looked for knowledge. Furthermore, when asked to repent he did not do so and in turn, was required to complete the deal with Lucifer. It taught me that in human experience’s quest for knowledge can at times take over your life. Your passion and drive for something aren’t always good. Next time I see myself too involved in something I will look around to see what else I might be ignoring.

Dr. Faustus is a great story of hubris, temptation, and regret. It has also been told in so many forms over the centuries that it has had a lasting artistic impact on Western culture, especially in literature and drama. That said, it is a story that everyone who loves books and theater should read.You could find much thicker copies of this work with extensive interpretation, long forewords, and various other analytical and historical additions. Those may benefit you a great deal. Since college, I have often opted for the simplicity and low cost of Dover Thrift editions. They provide just enough additional notation to clarify issues with antiquated word usage and such, while not disttracting me with minutiae and preventing me from getting lost in the story. They may not be impressively bound in leather, but I buy books to read and learn, not to impress.