Monday, 27 September 2010

Phases in scene 5

Apparantly, this scene can be seen as a narrative sequence of four phases, which is repeated 4 times within the scene. The pattern is:
1) Faustus expresses doubts
(1st cycle: becomes worried about damination)
(2nd cycle: blood congeals and won't let him sign the cotnract)

2) Persuasive efforts are made to influence him by the "powers of darkness"
(1st cycle: Evil Angel puts forward their case)
(2nd cycle: Mephastophilis puts on a show)

3) Faustus becomes more resolute
(1st cycle: Faustus calls up Mephastophilis)
(2nd cycle: Faustus signs and stands by the contract)

4) He enjoys the contract with Lucifer.
(1st cycle: Mephastophilis tells Faustus about the soul)
(2nd cycle: Mephastophilis answers Faustus' questions and brings him a whore)

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