Dr Faustus questions

1. What do you think is the significance of the comic scenes in the play?
2. How far do you agree that 'Dr Faustus' is a play about the dangers of possessing knowledge?
3. 'Faustus is a self-centred character for whom no sympathy is deserved.' How far do you agree with this view?
4. It has been said that Mephistopheles is a more interesting character for an audience than Faustus. How far do you agree?
5. To what extent do you agree that our interest in Dr Faustus rests not in his being like a real person but in what he represents?
6. To what extent do you agree that the play 'has too many flaws, lacks coherence and is just a series of set-pieces'?
7. Mephistopheles says, "Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it." To what extent do you think that Marlowe presents life on earth as hellish in the play?
8. To what extent do you think that Faustus's greatest sin is his misuse of the supernatural
powers given to him by Mephistopheles?
9. Discuss the view that the play provokes more laughter in the audience than terror.
10. “Faustus’s desire to be superhuman leads him to be inhuman.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
11. Faustus describes Mephistopheles as a “bewitching fiend”. To what extent do you agree with this view of him?