Doctor Faustus

Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus text guide

The character of Faust or Faustus has been one of the most enduring and significant figures in European culture for almost five hundred years. Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, while being a key part of this tradition, brings something unique to the story and is heavily influenced by Marlowe himself and the world he lived in.

This text guide will help you explore this excellent take on Doctor Faustus' story, as well as the influence Marlowe's world had on his work.

Christopher Marlowe A contemporary of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe (1564 – 1593) was an English poet and dramatist. Born in Canterbury, a centre of political and religious tension, his creative and eventful - if quite short - life included a stint working as a spy. Read more . . .

Marlowe's world Marlowe was born just after the middle of the sixteenth century, an era which, in England, was fraught with extraordinary events. It was marked by discord, violence and change, particularly affecting the monarchy and the practice of the Christian religion in England. Many of these events lie in the background of the action of Doctor Faustus. Read more . . .

Dive in to the Doctor Faustus text guide

Synopses and commentary - Scene by scene synopsis, commentary and analysis of the entire piece.

Characters in the play - Detailed analysis of all the important protagonists in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.

Doctor Faustus Timeline - Helpfully puts history, literary events and Marlowe's life side by side so you can make sense of events.

Themes and significant ideas - Research themes and significant ideas that feature in Doctor Faustus.