Doctor Faustus: Act I

by Christopher Marlowe
In this tragedy, a German doctor summons a devil named Mephistophilis and trades his soul for power. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the play: Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. divinity
    the systematic study of religion and its influences
    So soon he profits in divinity,
    The fruitful plot of scholarism grac'd,
    That shortly he was grac'd with doctor's name,
    Excelling all whose sweet delight disputes
    In heavenly matters of theology
    The noun also refers to "any supernatural being worshipped as controlling the world" or "the quality of being godlike." These meanings are what Faustus desires (see the example sentence and definition for "deity"). Here, the chorus is focused on divinity as a study of heavenly matters. Despite earning a doctorate for his excellence in theology, Faustus soon bids divinity adieu.
  2. conceit
    feelings of excessive pride
    Till swoln with cunning, of a self-conceit,
    His waxen wings did mount above his reach,
    And, melting, heavens conspir'd his overthrow
    A conceit is also "an artistic device or effect." The conceit of the chorus goes back to the ancient Greeks, who often used it as a uniform group that interacted with the other characters. Here, the chorus serves as an independent, omniscient narrator who informs, summarizes, and moralizes. In the 1616 Quarto, the chorus appears at the beginning of Acts 1, 3, 4, and at the end of Act 5.
  3. necromancy
    the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces
    And glutted now with learning's golden gifts,
    He surfeits upon cursed necromancy
  4. bliss
    a state of extreme happiness
    Nothing so sweet as magic is to him,
    Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss
    To bless means to "make the sign of the cross to call on God for protection" or "render holy by means of religious rites." The similar spellings of the words have led to the suggestion that the path to bliss is paved with blessings. This holy nature of bliss is echoed by the chorus here, who disapproves of Faustus' focus on magic, which will deprive him of what should be his chiefest bliss (which Mephistophilis defines as "the eternal joys of heaven").
  5. attain
    gain with effort
    Is, to dispute well, logic's chiefest end?
    Affords this art no greater miracle?
    Then read no more; thou hast attain'd that end
  6. esteem
    regard highly; think much of
    Couldst thou make men to live eternally,
    Or, being dead, raise them to life again,
    Then this profession were to be esteem'd.
    Faustus' focus on reputation is emphasized by another line where he is wondering about the medical profession: "Be a physician, Faustus; heap up gold, and be eterniz'd for some wondrous cure" ("eternize" means "to make famous forever"). Supposedly, his prescriptions have already saved thousands from the plague. But because medical achievements can't elevate him above human status, he bids farewell to physic (a term for medicine that's rarely used now to avoid confusion with physics).
  7. metaphysics
    the philosophical study of being and knowing
    These metaphysics of magicians,
    And necromantic books are heavenly;
    Lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters;
    Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires.
  8. omnipotence
    the state of having unlimited power
    O, what a world of profit and delight,
    Of power, of honour, of omnipotence,
    Is promis'd to the studious artisan!
  9. dominion
    control or power through legal authority
    All things that move between the quiet poles
    Shall be at my command: emperors and kings
    Are but obeyed in their several provinces,
    Nor can they raise the wind, or rend the clouds;
    But his dominion that exceeds in this,
    Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man
    The noun also refers to "a region marked off for administrative or other purposes." Both definitions fit, although Faustus, unlike emperors or kings, does not want to be limited by legality, geography, or reality. He wants to be able to control all things and people as far as he can imagine.
  10. deity
    a supernatural being worshipped as controlling the world
    A sound magician is a mighty god:
    Here, Faustus, tire thy brains to gain a deity.
  11. resolve
    understand the meaning of
    Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please,
    Resolve me of all ambiguities,
    Perform what desperate enterprise I will?
  12. reign
    rule or have supreme power
    I'll levy soldiers with the coin they bring,
    And chase the Prince of Parma from our land,
    And reign sole king of all the provinces
  13. concealed
    hidden on any grounds for any motive
    Know that your words have won me at the last
    To practice magic and concealed arts
  14. ruminate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Yet not your words only, but mine own fantasy,
    That will receive no object; for my head
    But ruminates on necromantic skill.
  15. canonize
    treat as a sacred person
    Faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience,
    Shall make all nations to canonize us.
  16. serviceable
    ready to function or provide assistance
    As Indian Moors obey their Spanish lords,
    So shall the spirits of every element
    Be always serviceable to us three
  17. resolute
    firm in purpose or belief
    From Venice shall they drag huge argosies,
    And from America the golden fleece
    That yearly stuffs old Philip's treasury;
    If learned Faustus will be resolute.
  18. renowned
    widely known and esteemed
    Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renown'd,
    And more frequented for this mystery
    Than heretofore the Delphian oracle.
  19. wealth
    an abundance of material possessions and resources
    The spirits tell me they can dry the sea,
    And fetch the treasure of all foreign wrecks,
    Ay, all the wealth that our forefathers hid
    Within the massy entrails of the earth:
    Then tell me, Faustus, what shall we three want?
  20. possession
    the act of having and controlling property
    Come, shew me some demonstrations magical,
    That I may conjure in some lusty grove,
    And have these joys in full possession.
  21. conjure
    summon into action or bring into existence
    For, ere I sleep, I'll try what I can do:
    This night I'll conjure, though I die therefore.
  22. proficient
    having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    Who would not be proficient in this art?
  23. pliant
    capable of being influenced or formed
    How pliant is this Mephistophilis,
    Full of obedience and humility!
  24. overwhelm
    overcome by superior force
    I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live,
    To do whatever Faustus shall command,
    Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,
    Or the ocean to overwhelm the world.
  25. glorious
    having great beauty and splendor
    For, when we hear one rack the name of God,
    Abjure the Scriptures and his Saviour Christ,
    We fly, in hope to get his glorious soul
  26. dedicate
    give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
    There is no chief but only Belzebub;
    To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself.
  27. aspiring
    desiring or striving for recognition or advancement
    O, by aspiring pride and insolence;
    For which God threw him from the face of heaven.
  28. fortitude
    strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
    Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude,
    And scorn those joys thou never shalt possess.
  29. voluptuous
    displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
    Seeing Faustus hath incurr'd eternal death
    By desperate thoughts against Jove's deity,
    Say, he surrenders up to him his soul,
    So he will spare him four and twenty years,
    Letting him live in all voluptuousness;
    Having thee ever to attend on me,
    To give me whatsoever I shall ask,
    To tell me whatsoever I demand
  30. slay
    kill intentionally and with premeditation
    To slay mine enemies, and aid my friends
  31. obedient
    dutifully complying with the commands of those in authority
    And always be obedient to my will.
  32. potentate
    a powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law
    The Emperor shall not live but by my leave,
    Nor any potentate of Germany.
  33. obtain
    come into possession of
    Now that I have obtain'd what I desir'd,
    I'll live in speculation of this art,
    Till Mephistophilis return again.
  34. poverty
    the state of having little or no money and possessions
    Alas, poor slave! see how poverty jesteth in his nakedness! the villain is bare and out of service, and so hungry, that I know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood-raw.
  35. mutton
    meat from a mature domestic sheep
    How! my soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though 'twere blood-raw! not so, good friend: by'r lady, I had need have it well roasted, and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear.
Created on Tue Jan 17 12:29:43 EST 2017 (updated Mon Sep 24 17:04:43 EDT 2018)

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