Text: Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe, ed. Sylvan Barnet, Signet Classic, 2001

This will be our final unit of study in the Fall semester. One theme running throughout the semester’s study is the development, nature and direction of Science. Marlowe’s great play gives us another way to think about this topic, this issue, a very important one. It also allows us to look at developments in Drama which are significant, and the play contains some magnificent poetry from one of the great ages of English poetry. There is a lot to talk about in Dr. Faustus, and a lot to experience.

We have six days to read and discuss this play, with the seventh day, Wednesday, December 14th, devoted to an In-Class essay.

A combination of lecture, group discussion, close looking at the actual texts, and use of media as available. Here’s the (provisional) Reading Schedule:

Monday, December 5: Please read Sylvan Barnet’s excellent Introduction, pps. vii-xxiv.

Let’s get into Act I, pps. 3-18.

Tuesday, December 6: Acts 2+3, pps. 18-48.

Wednesday, December 7: Act 4, pps. 48-70.

Thursday, December 8: Guest Lecturer, Dennis Chowenhill, will speak on Dr. Faustus, Machiavelli, and Renaissance Humanism.

Monday, December 12: Act 5 & wrapping up the play.

Tuesday, December 13: Doctor Faustus on the screen. (Burton/Taylor)

**Wednesday, December 14: Reactions to the play. In-class essay in Small Group on Doctor Faustus.