Facts in Doctor Faustus

Facts Examples in Doctor Faustus:

Chorus 1

"Chorus..." See in text (Chorus 1)

In Early Modern theater, a "Chorus" was a single actor reciting a prologue to the audience. The prologue either introduced the Act, the Scene, or the entire play. Sometimes the Chorus would return to deliver the play's Epilogue as well. This character is reminiscent of a chorus in Greek tragedy in which a group of actors would use song, dance, and recitation to comment on the main action of the play.

Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff

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Scene 12

"OLD MAN...." See in text (Scene 12)

Doctor Faustus exists in two very different Early Modern versions. The 1606 A Text, from which Owl Eyes took its material, and the 1616 B Text. The B Text is much longer and has been altered by other writers to comply with censorship standards and elaborate on some of the characters. The most markedly different scene in the B text, besides the added material that was not in the original, is Faustus's exchange with the Old Man. In the A Text, the Old Man's tone is severe and he acts as another sign of Faustus's damnation. In the B Text, the Old Man urges Faustus to repent and treats him with a sympathetic tone.

Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff

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Epilogue

"Terminat hora diem; terminat auctor opus...." See in text (Epilogue )

In Latin, this means "The hour ends the day, the author ends his work." This signature comes from the bottom of the final page in the 1604 print edition of this text. It was probably added by the printer to mark the text as coming from a certain print shop, much like a modern day logo.

Caitlin, Owl Eyes Staff

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