In this episode, we get into the Faust legend, focusing on Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus. We chat about the original legend, Faust’s famous deal with the devil, the character of Mephistopheles, and how Marlowe’s version of the story influenced a ton of later film and literature. We also touch on the mystery surrounding Marlowe’s death!
We then get into Act 1 of Doctor Faustus, exploring Faustus’ interactions with Mephistopheles, the play’s mix of humor and tragedy, Wagner’s comic relief and the whole idea of hell as presented in the play. We wrap up by looking ahead to Act 2 and where the story’s headed!