WEEK NINE - The End
In the final scene, Faustus has to face up to the ultimate consequences of the deal he made with the devil(s).. Readers and critics dispute whether he could actually be saved in this final scene, or if Mephistophilis is correct when he says, 'thou hast no hope of heaven'.
Read the final scene.
Think about these key questions while you are reading/watching the scene:
- Why does Marlowe give Faustus this final soliloquy?
- What role(s) do the Angels play in this scene?
- Who appears to be the hero and the villain in this scene?
- What do you think the impact is of the final line of the play?
Watch these two versions of the scene.
VERSION ONE - The Globe Theatre
VERSION TWO - Richard Burton film
Post your comments below, which of the two versions do you think is most suitable for your meaning and interpretation of the scene?
ReplyDeleteMarlowe decides to give Faustus this final soliloquy as it shows him repenting, yet he only chooses to do this once it is too late for him to be saved. In the final moments in which we hear from Faustus, we hear his desperation and his guilt at what he has done, he begs for more time and to be able to undo what was done. Marlowe includes it to show the audience that some actions cannot be reversed, people must learn to live with the choices they make and suffer the consequences. The soliloquy leaves us with a vulnerable impression of Faustus – much different from how we have previously perceived him. The vulnerability causes the audience to look to themselves and re-evaluate their choices in life. His desperation also causes pathos, although little sympathy has been felt for him before, now we see the remains of a great man who was simply to intrigued by temptation. Marlowe uses the soliloquy as a warning of moral standing and decision making.
The good angel is there to show what could have been if Faustus had repented earlier. It is a cruel reminder and a way of rubbing salt in the wound that is Faustus’ damnation. The bad angel represents what to come, although it succeeded in tempting Faustus, it still is not happy but still appears bitter. This is to show that there is only bitterness on the horizon for Faustus now, he no longer has any hope of forgiveness of happiness. The appearance of the angels provides a bleak start to the ending of the play, playing the figure-heads of doom.
In the last scene the audience is almost tricked into viewing Faustus as the unlucky hero who is about to meet an unjust fate. The angels and the devils are almost portrayed as the villains who are not allowing Faustus to be forgiven. We are aware that Faustus deserves this damnation – he has sold his soul and continually refused to seek repentance, yet his soliloquy illuminates him in a vulnerable light, causing the audience to want him to be allowed one more chance. We pity and sympathise for Faustus because of the effect of him speaking directly to us, showing his want to be forgiven.
The final line of “I’ll burn my books! – O, Mephistopheles!” shows Faustus’ true desire to repent. It is a chilling last line that shows Faustus’ guilt at the actions and the wrongs he has committed. Faustus was once a celebrated academic, and the fact that he has decided to give up his life, to burn the knowledge that he reverently sought, shows Faustus' want to repent. However, it could also be seen as Faustus looking for a way out, making empty promises to only live longer, to only go back on his word if he is allowed life. But, if we take what Faustus' says at face value, it shows the enormity of the situation and the guilt that Faustus feels, he will give up everything to allude Hell.
In my opinion, I believe that the Globe Theatre ending fits my understanding of Faustus more, this is because of the way the actor delivers his lines. He doesn’t shout, but talks quietly and quickly, as if he is setting out the situation in his head. He does look upwards, as if seeking the kind hand of God, but never finds it. I think his speech and demeanour shows how he wants (now that it is too late) to repent, yet he has accepted his fate and knows that there is no resolution. Faustus knows that he has dismissed every opportunity to ask for forgiveness, and yet is still clingy on to any aspect of reality even though he is a dead man.
Marlowe gives Faustus his final soliloquy, to express to the audience the redemption that he has for his actions. The pain within his voice as he begs to be saved shows the audience the consequences of his deal with the Devil; this would be another factor in why the audience interprets this story to be about morality. As we see Faustus in a fragile state, contradicts how his personality had been prior, giving his power to God as he holds the position to alter Faustus’s fate. In this sudden change of event it makes the audience feel sympathy for the character of Faustus, as the play progressed we had established a relationship with this character, we feel pity of his awaited death. Marlowe wrote the play as such that our feelings our invested with the character although his greed and his death was revealed early on in the play.
ReplyDeleteThe angels within this scene are a constant reminder to Faustus of the afterlife he could have lead, and replicate the mistakes forged in life. The dark angles fore-show of what expects him. The payment of his sins, a reminder of what life he could have escaped leading if only he had resisted temptation and greed. To the viewers within the scene the angels are shown to be the devil whereas Faustus is the hero. This illusion is created by our emotions associated with the character Faustus by the relationship developed, and the audience is hoping as does Faustus of his redemption and last opportunity of forgiveness. This scene has a large impact on the scene of as a whole as we are left with feeling empathy for the character Faustus and with a new perception of the play; as we reflect we wish Faustus had heeded the Good angel’s words and resisted his earthly temptations. I found that the Global theater play was more suitable for my perception of the play as the character is pleading, begging, shouting for forgiveness unlike the Richard Burton film.