Formal Third Theatre Assignment

Selected Passage:

FAUSTUS. What are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last?

LECHERY. Who I, sir? I am one that loves an inch of raw mutton
better than an ell of fried stock-fish; and the first letter
of my name begins with L.

FAUSTUS. Away, to hell, to hell!
[Exeunt the SINS.]

LUCIFER. Now, Faustus, how dost thou like this?

FAUSTUS. O, this feeds my soul!

LUCIFER. Tut, Faustus, in hell is all manner of delight.

FAUSTUS. O, might I see hell, and return again,
How happy were I then!

LUCIFER. Thou shalt; I will send for thee at midnight.
In meantime take this book; peruse it throughly,
And thou shalt turn thyself into what shape thou wilt.

FAUSTUS. Great thanks, mighty Lucifer!
This will I keep as chary as my life.

LUCIFER. Farewell, Faustus, and think on the devil.

FAUSTUS. Farewell, great Lucifer.
[Exeunt LUCIFER and BELZEBUB.]

Come, Mephistophilis.
[Exeunt.]

* Our group essay is on the following page *

Group #24

Prof. Massie

THR 100

Project #3

Topic Sentence: Faustus conjures spirits of the dead in order to impress friends, curry favor with those in power, and glut his sexual desire.

            We chose the topic above since power and sex are central themes of this play; the section we chose to perform is just a small representation of these themes. As a group, we agree with the topic sentence above. In our selected passage, it shows Faustus speaking with Lucifer about how he is thinking about returning to hell to have all of his desires met.

The passage we chose fits well because it is a very important moment for Dr. Faustus, where he exercises his relationship with black magic and his relationship with Lucifer. Through his summoning of the Seven Deadly Sins, we are given a clear understanding of Faustus’ longing and wishful desire to be in hell again. By summoning the Sins, Faustus is exhibiting his thirst for evil. Resultantly, Lucifer recognizes Faustus’ loyalty and offers him a satanic book from which he can learn how to shape shift and another trip to hell. So, Faustus succeeds in currying favor with Lucifer as well as showing off his skills to his friend Mephistophilis.

Lastly, Faustus’ sexual desires are met when he is speaking with the Seventh Deadly Sin: Lechery. Lechery, alongside the other sins, seduces Dr. Faustus, and plays a large part in his consideration of going back to hell. Faustus knows that with Lechery comes the promise of his sexual and sinful desires being met when he enters hell once again. In essence, our section of the play mainly has to do with Faustus’ sexual desires, his longing to go back to hell, and Lucifer trying to convince him to return.