What does Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus tell us about the author and the time at which the play was written? This free course, Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, will help you to discover the intricacies of the play and recognise how a knowledge of the historical and political background of the time can lead to a very different understanding of the author's intended meaning.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
read closely – analyse a passage from the play
examine genre – what kind of play is Doctor Faustus?
consider themes – what are the main themes or issues explored in the play?
read historically – what are some of the connections between Doctor Faustus and the historical period in which it was written?
read biographically – what, if any, insights does Doctor Faustus give us into the character and reputation of its author?
When I was a student 40 years back, my most favourite subject was literature which included the study of certain portions of Christopher Marlowe’s play ‘Tamburlaine’. As a result of reading the contents of the free course sponsored by OpenLearn, my interest in the subject increased to such a level that I decided, despite my age, to follow it with a view to acquire a deeper insight into the finer aspects of English literature. The style of presenting the course material is lucid but excellent!