The tragical history of Doctor Faustus Essay -- English Literature

The tragical hi floor of Doctor Faustus, which followed in the wake of Tamburlaine, is acclaimed by all as Marlowes best play in which the leaven of fertile poetry and unfearing imagination works wonders. groundworkThe tragical history of Doctor Faustus, which followed in the wakeof Tamburlaine, is acclaimed by all as Marlowes best play in whichthe leaven of fertile poetry and fearless imagination works wonders.The idea of a passionate difference of opinion to obtain beyond the grasp ofordinary mortals as its theme Marlowe takes this old story of themedieval magician who sells his soul to the Devil for twenty four years of pleasure and the gift of all knowledge and gives it asignificance as in to that of such world old myths as Eves eating theorchard apple tree and Prometheus defiance of Gods. Hence, making the Faustuslegend a symbol of humanitys splendid struggle to reach the stars, aswell as a calamity of non-finite aspiration ending in agony and remorse.Inspite of the critics and scholars being one in their opinion torecognize Christopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus as one of themasterpieces of British drama in that respect cannot be any denying the factthat the most glaring anemicness of Doctor Faustus lies in the lack ofa well knit or an organic plot.Aristotles commentary of TragedyAccording to Aristotle Tragedy in the real sense is an imitation ofan consummation that is complete, and whole, and of a certain magnitude Thebeginning, called by modern critics the incentive moment, mustiness startthe cause-and-effect chain provided not be dependent on anything outsidethe compass of the play meaning that its causes argon downplayed but its effects are stressed. The middle, or climax, must be caused by earlierincid... ...d are laid bare.ConclusionHence the fact remains that Doctor Faustus is unquestionably amasterpiece by Christopher Marlowe and one of the greatest and themost powerful tragedy to be written before Shakespeare inspite of itsflaws and limit ations. But at the same age it is also clear thatthough the beginning of the play just equivalent the end has been perfectlyexecuted but the middle portion is weak and does not serve itspurpose. As Levin puts it The structural weakness of the plot that corresponds to the anti-climax of the parable it lays barethe gaps between the bright hopes of the initial scene and the abyssalconsequences of the last. Therefore, the statement that DoctorFaustus has a beginning and an end but no middle can be accepted tosome utmost as the middle portion though existing is not relevant tothe development of the play.