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Post by shaxper on May 7, 2002 23:11:51 GMT -5
Just curious what your impressions of the play are, so far. I know that you haven't read much, but even in the first pages, I find myself associating uncomfortably with Faustus' reasoning about the limits of each science he throws away: Liberal education, physics, medicine, and especially religion. It leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling of "what's the point of anything in life?", and I find myself hoping Faustus will find something greater, but knowing that he won't. I still have no idea what Wagner's little bit of rhetoric towards the two scholars is about in 1.2. Maybe someone else understands what he's babbling about. If the first two scenes haven't done anything for you folks yet, just hang on for scene three. That's when Mephistopheles enters and the REAL fun begins ;D
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Abhorson
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Post by Abhorson on May 8, 2002 1:35:14 GMT -5
Interesting so far. The tone of it strikes me as very dark and disturbed, and Faustus' nihilism is quite contagious.
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Post by shaxper on May 8, 2002 19:49:43 GMT -5
I completely agree.
Well, I'm off to read scenes three and four. Can't wait for Mephistpheles' entrance!
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Post by Ganymede on May 9, 2002 11:16:33 GMT -5
So far, Faustus is entertaining to say the least. It feels more like a comedy than a "Tragical History." It's great when Mephistopheles enters, Faustus shuts him down and tells him to return in the form of a friar. A not-so-subtle commentary on the church?
The next scene, scene IV, is also very interesting to compare to the previous one. So Wagner gets power through Faustus' arts? Wagner is really weird, very comical. I found what the Clown had to say about the "he-devil" and "she-devil" also very interesting: "I'll tell you how you shall know them; all he-devils has horns, and all she-devils has clifts and cloven feet." The horns imply cuckoldry. The clifts and cloven feet are a common sign of female devilry-- a popular picture on the cover of "Hic Mulier" (the tract written against female cross-dressing) shows a "monstrous" woman with cloven feet.
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Post by shaxper on May 9, 2002 17:23:51 GMT -5
I still can't figure out that whole scene with Wagner, myself. Even if he does get demonic power through Faustus (which is not part of Faustus' cotract), this scene where he summons the devils occurs before the contract has been made. And what's Wagner's reason for making Robin join him? Is he trying to provide a homeless man with work, or does he have some weird, darker purpose? Whoever summoned devils to scare a man into accepting a gesture of goodwill? I don't understand Wagner at all.
Interesting points about the horns and clefts. I glanced over that line without giving it much thought. How do you interpret it? Maybe the stage direction about summoning devils was added by a later editor and, in fact, Wagner had simply summoned henchmen or fellow students, but then one of them probably wouldn't be female. Strange stuff.
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Post by litluver on May 14, 2002 14:43:36 GMT -5
Hi, I"m wondering where everyone is in the reading. I was going to join in, but I don't want to be too far behind. It has been YEARS since I have read it- looking forward to doing so again. Let me know if I am too far behind! Sherree
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Post by shaxper on May 14, 2002 16:04:32 GMT -5
Hi Litluver! Thanks for making your way to this discussion.
Technically, we should be finishing Faustus today, but I'm suspecting by the lack of posts that most everyone has become as busy as I have in the past few days. The posts thus far only discuss up to 2.2, so we can simply continue from there unless there are any objections. I'll get through at least 2.4 later this evening and post my thoughts, as will Ganymede. I'm not sure how far in Abhorson, Desdamona, and Nolablue5 are at this point.
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Post by shaxper on May 14, 2002 21:39:02 GMT -5
Correction. There is no 2.4. I meant 3.1. Sorry, folks.
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Desdemona
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Post by Desdemona on May 17, 2002 6:58:37 GMT -5
I finished reading Faustus a couple of days ago, but I think I might have to read it again if I want to have anything interesting to say... I really really like the story--it brings about a special atmosphere-- but I guess I haven't been using my brains enough to be able to say anything more than that. Sorry!
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Desdemona
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He was not of an age, but for all time!
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Post by Desdemona on May 17, 2002 7:00:14 GMT -5
Oh, and another thing is: I read the B-text and it seems to differ quite a bit from the A-text. Maybe if I read the play again, I should read the Perseus A-text.
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Post by shaxper on May 17, 2002 7:04:43 GMT -5
No need to put any extra pressure on yourself. You can just share your thoughts and opinions if you like, or you can read it again if that's what you want. It would be interesting to see your thoughts on the differences between the two texts, but do what you want. I know you've already been busy, and so I'm very impressed that you may very well have been the only one who stuck to the schedule
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Desdemona
Money Lender
He was not of an age, but for all time!
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Post by Desdemona on May 17, 2002 7:08:44 GMT -5
Thank you! I didn't expect to be the first one to finish it either I'll try to find some time to read the A-text this weekend, because I won't have time again until the end of June.
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Post by Ophelia on Jun 14, 2002 9:14:05 GMT -5
Ah, I didn't realise you were doing a mass-reading, as it were. I read it because I needed to for my study, and loved the play. Part of the exam will involve me knowing something about a performance of the play in the 16th/17th century. Does anyone know where I can get some information on this? I am particularly interested in info on the first production, which is belived to be the one that was acted for Phillip Henslowe by the Lord Admiral’s Men on 30th Sept 1594 (30th September is my birthday - I was chuffed!), with Edward Alleyn as Faustus.
Thank you to anyone who can be of help!
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Post by shaxper on Jun 15, 2002 7:08:49 GMT -5
I just moved, so I don't have my books at my disposal for the moment. I'll see what I can find online though. Best of luck!
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Post by Ophelia on Jun 15, 2002 7:11:39 GMT -5
Thank you. Let me know if you do find anything as I've not had much luck!
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