1) The play directed by Matthew Dunster for Globe theatre ends with this scene (see the image of Lucifer). What does it signify?
The last scene of the play directed by Matthew Dunster for Globe theatre signifies that Lucifer has become more powerful after taking away Dr.Faustus’s soul . His wide wings shows that he has become more stronger than before .
It can also be said that in the last scene Lucifer’s wide wings signifies that devil wins and the God fails . In act 1 scene 2 , we come to know that Lucifer was an angel , but he was sent to hell for conspiring against the God . It can be said that the Devil wins the revenge against the God . Lucifer becomes the hero of the play .
2) Is God present in the play? If yes, where and how? If No, why?
Yes, the God is very much present in the play , even though he never appears as a character , but he is there in the mind of the characters .
We find God in the form of Good Angel , who warns Dr.Faustus to leave his desire to learn necromancy :
“ O Faustus , lay that damned book aside ,
And gaze not on it lest it tempt thy soul “ - (Act 1- scene 1)
Good Angel also urges him to repent :
“ Faustus , repent, yet God will pity thee “ -( Act 2 - scene 2)
If we say that Good Angel symbolises voice of his conscience , then where does this voice comes from ? It comes from within . That means there is some kind of spirituality in Faustus .
In the Act 1 , we also find that Dr.Faustus had studied the Divinity which shows that there is a spiritual aspect somewhere in him .
We also see God’s sign in the play . When Dr.Faustus signs the contract with his blood , suddenly the blood congeals and he finds something written in Latin.....’’HOMO FUGE ‘’. It means ‘’ O Man Fly ‘’. It was a warning to Faustus not to sign the bond :
‘’ Homo Fuge! Whither should I flie ?
If unto God , he’ll , throw me down to hell.
My senses are deceive’d : here’s nothing writ ! ‘’ -( Act 2 - scene 1)
We can also find presence of the God in form of the Old Man . He is seen in the last part of the play . It can be said that it was the last try by the God to save Faustus . He urges Faustus to repent :
“ O stay , good Faustus , stay thy desperate steps !
I see an angel hovers o’er thy head ,
And with a vial full of precious grace ,
Offers to pour the same into thy soul,
Then call for mercy and avoid despair “ – ( Act 5 - scene 1)
A question might arise that if God is present , why does evil wins . God tries to help Faustus in one or the other way . Faustus’s thinks himself powerful . His hubris is the reason of his downfall . Despite of many warnings , he doesn’t stop . And when he realises it is too late.
Every coin has two sides , but we cannot see both the side together . we see presence of Devil , but also the shadow of God in one or the other way.
3) What reading and interpretation can be given to this image (see the image of Daedalus and Icarus) with reference to central theme of the play Dr. Faustus?
This picture gives portrayal of the myth of father Daedalus and the son Icarus.
Father Daedalus prepares waxen wings for his son Icarus , but warns him not to go near the sun . In the same way , we see that Dr.Faustus wants to become Demi-God by learning the art of necromancy . God in different form warns him . Even the devil Mephistophilis also warns him :
“ O Faustus , leave the frivolous demands
Which strikes a terror to my fainting soul. “ - ( Act 1 - scene 2)
Dr.Faustus misuses his art in doing silly things . His hubris is the cause of his downfall . Likewise , Icarus in great enthusiasm flies near the sun, despite of his father’s warning and this causes his downfall.
Father Daedalus remains helpless . He saw the downfall of his son but couldn’t help him . Similarly , the God in various form couldn’t help Dr.Faustus.
It can be concluded that gaining knowledge with hard work is wise , but believing that you have gained all the knowledge is foolish .
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