First broadcast: Sunday 23 Sep 2007 on BBC Radio 3
Dr Faustus in more depth:
OU on the BBC: Dr Faustus - About Dr Faustus
photos.com
As the BBC and The Open University create a new version of the play, find out about the play and this production Read more : OU on the BBC: Dr Faustus - About Dr Faustus
Marlowe timeline
Matanya via Wikimedia
A timeline of the life and times of Christopher Marlowe Read more : Marlowe timeline
From stage to studio
BBC
The Open University's Anita Pacheco talks to the producer and director Nadia Molinari about the considerations and challenges involved in transferring a stage play to... Read more : From stage to studio
Reading the Renaissance
Bascon via Wikimedia
A guide to reading Renaissance poetic drama involving iambic pentametre and blank verse in relation to Christopher Marlowe and Dr Faustus Read more : Reading the Renaissance
Get writing: Tips and advice
BBC
From getting inspiration to getting published - take your writing to the next level with our tips and advice. Read more : Get writing: Tips and advice
![Rousseau [Image: Copyright Mary Evans Picture Library]](/openlearn/files/ole/imported/407/rousseau.jpg)
![Polling Station signage [Image: kagey b under CC-BY-NC-ND licence]](/openlearn/files/ole/ole_images/places/general-urban-scenes/polling-station-sign/polling station sign_0_0.jpg)
Login or Register to post comments
Would you swap your place in heaven for power on Earth? Could y
Notions of 'heaven' and 'hell' belong to the primitive tribal religious cults stage of the evolution of human societies. Regretably even today millions of children are indoctrinated into fantastical oppresive religious ideologies. Gullible adults also suffer from religious delusions. Leaders of religious cults use notions such as 'heaven' and 'hell' to dominate their followers whom they revealingly typically refer to as sheep!
Such terms are also useful to religious leaders in inducing followers to donate their money and leave their estates to religious organisations.
Other than that, the questions don't make sense, because the terms 'heaven' and 'hell' are fantastical ideological constructs.
Within the context of the play, the great Dr Faustus' only real fault/mistake, from a rational modern perspective, is that when he discovers that the devil exists it is imprudent to enter into the pact.
would I substitute heaven for power on earth
I would not substitute heaven for hell under any circumstances, Why would I want to, I have security through Jesus that I am saved from hell. Hell gives you instant gratification even if you are not prepared for it and always comes with a cost. Being in heaven the cost has already been paid for me I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus who went to hell and took the keys to ransom us I have freedom. In hell I would be chained to the cost, whatever that may be. Faustus served 24 years as Satans puppet and then suffered in hell when he already had the freedom in Christ, he chose to be a slave to Satan. Even today we have this choice.
substitute heaven for hell?
I agree with you Alexandra. Why give up the total freedom we have in Jesus to be stuck in hell forever. No brainer.
Just as well we have a sense
Just as well we have a sense of humour in the library you have given us all a good laugh.