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Doctor John Faustus of Wittenburg trades his soul to Lucifer for years of learning without limits and power without parallel. In this completely new edition of the play, Paul Menzer demonstrates how you can engage with this challenging, colourful tragedy for yourself.

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In Christopher Marlowe´s Doctor Faustus a distinguished scholar turns away from learning and embraces necromancy to satisfy his yearning for knowledge, power and influence. Faustus trades his soul to Lucifer for the secrets of the universe, only to find that satisfaction remains beyond his grasp. His quest for fame and thirst for knowledge eventually results in his damnation.

One of the most spectacular and popular plays of the Elizabethan stage, Faustus´ fantastical mix of high-minded theology and low-brow slapstick has allured generations of readers and playgoers in the ensuing centuries. Christopher Marlowe´s Faustus has been regularly rewritten, adapted, performed, and parodied across the ages, speaking to its tenacious grip upon the public imagination.

This fully re-edited, modernised play text is accompanied by incisive commentary notes, while its lively introduction will helpfully guide you through the fume of fact and legend that has accompanied the play across the centuries, from its premiere in the late sixteenth century to its most recent incarnation on stage and film.

The New Mermaids plays offer:
ú Modernized versions of the play text edited to the highest textual standards
ú Fully annotated student editions with obscure words explained and critical, contextual and staging insight provided on each page
ú Full introductions analyzing content, themes, author background and stage history

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Introduction
Preface
Plot summary
Analysis
1. Historical and literary contexts
2. Performance aspects of the text
3. Critical interpretations
Resources and annotated bibliography
A note on the text
The Play

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