Christopher Marlowe

Boredom, ambition and the usual man’s willingness to overcome his limits push famous scientist Faustus to reject traditional disciplines and even God in favour of necromancy.
 Seduced by dreams of glory and omnipotence, Faustus gives in to Mephistopheles’s temptations and signs a contract with no less than Satan himself: 24 years of knowledge in exchange for his soul.
 Distracted by devilish performances, travels around the world, beautiful past queens and pleasurable tricks, will Faustus succeed in saving himself?
 An old but modern story on Man’s thirst for power and knowledge topped with five rich extensions to contextualize the work and its author. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Summing-up Activities
 
 La noia, l’ambizione e la solita volontà dell’uomo di sfidare Dio spingono il famoso scienziato Faustus a firmare un contratto addirittura con Satana stesso: 24 anni di conoscenza in cambio della sua anima.
 Distratto da quadretti demoniaci, bellissime regine del passato e piacevoli scherzi, riuscirà Faustus a salvarsi?
 Una storia antica ma moderna sulla sete dell’uomo per il potere e la conoscenza, arricchita da approfondimenti utili a contestualizzare i vari personaggi e l’autore.

Characters

Chapter 1 – The thirst for knowledge

Extension: Progress, science and technology in the Renaissance

Chapter 2 – The pact with the devil

Extension: The real Dr Faustus

Chapter 3 – In Rome with Pope Adrian

Extension: Angels and demons

Chapter 4 – In Germany at Charles V’s court

Extension: Major and minor characters in Doctor Faustus

Chapter 5 – The punishment

Extension: Faustus in music

Summing-up activities

Glossary

3 In Rome with Pope Adrian BEFORE READING Chapter 1 At the time of Pope Adrian s papacy (1522-1523) some of these landmarks weren t present in Rome. Circle the ones you think had already been erected. a. Coliseum e. Villa Borghese i. Pantheon b. Spanish Steps f. Trevi Fountain j. Vittoriano c. Baths of Caracalla g. Domus Aurea d. Great Synagogue h. Stadium of Domitian 2 Match these words you will find in the text with their definitions. (Two are extra). a. Forbidden 1. Celebration. b. Temptation 2. When one fails to resist seduction or greed. c. Synod 3. Excited. d. Sarcastic 4. Pious, devout. e. Solemn 5. An assembly of church delegates that discusses and decides on church affairs. f. Feast g. Witness h. Thrilled 6. Grave, not funny, serious. 7. A social gathering for conversation, refreshments, etc. 8. See, hear, or know by personal experience or presence. 9. Meaning the opposite of what is said. 10. Not permitted by order or law. 3 Choose one of the options to make predictions about the story. a. Which means of transport will Mephistopheles and Faustus use to travel around the world? 1. airship 2. horse 3. donkey 4. carriage b. What will Faustus ask the pope for? 1. forgiveness 2. punishment 3. compassion 4. none of the previous c. Which set of objects is used to excommunicate someone? 1. bell   feather   cross 2. bell   book   candle 3. candle   holy oil   book 4. holy water   incense   candle 40 

Dr Faustus In Rome with Pope Adrian Chapter 3 Dear readers, I hope you still have a little patience to go on reading till the end! There are a few more adventures you should be told and a few reflections you should make, before expressing your final opinion on Doctor Faustus s life! After the Seven Deadly Sins  show, Faustus left on an eightday tour of the universe to discover the secrets of astronomy. Mephistopheles was with him all the time, to answer his questions and teach him forbidden knowledge. They travelled in a carriage1 driven by dragons and they moved from east to west, among stormy clouds, the stars and the planets. Faustus was very curious to see as much as he could but, after eight days, he was too exhausted to go on travelling. He needed some time to relax back home. But not for too long... there were so many temptations out there, in the universe, that his thirst for knowledge couldn t wait! So, after a few days, he left for another long journey through all the kingdoms of the world. Mephistopheles took him to Germany, France and then Italy, which attracted them more than any other country. They admired its colourful and fruitful2 landscapes and the wonderful architecture of cities such as Naples, Venice, Padua and, in particular, Rome! Look at them, there they are! In the eternal city whose monuments Faustus had always wished to see...  Dear Faustus!  Mephistopheles exclaimed.  You wanted to enter the walls of Rome... look where I have taken you!  he said in an excited tone.  Well, aren t we the special guests? Don t we deserve3 special accommodation and a welcome?  he laughed out loudly.  Here we are! Just inside the Pope s private room!  1. carriage: 2. fruitful: rich in fruit and vegetation, fertile. 3. deserve: to merit. 41 

Faustus, celebre scienziato, cede alla tentazione di conoscere e potere, firmando un patto con il diavolo. Ma riuscirà a salvare la sua anima?

Doctor Faustus

Level B1 • Pre-Intermediate - Collana RAINBOWS

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