Ebook: Doctor Faustus

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is Christopher Marlowe's drama based off the classic legend of Johann Georg Faust, a German alchemist and magician. It was first performed by the Admiral's Men (considered one of the most important acting troupes of English Renaissance theatre) in 1592. It tells the story of how Faustus does a deal with the devil in return for magical powers, unlimited knowledge, and the ability of command over Mephistopheles, a demon. Predictably, Faust regrets this decision when faced with eternal damnation. Doctor Faustus was the last play Christopher Marlowe wrote before his murder at age 29, in a drinking tavern.

There are two versions of this play in existance; a 1604 version (usually called the A text), and a 1616 version (the B text). The A text is considered to be the closest to Marlowe's original, although at various points, the consensus has swung the other way in favour of text B. This edition is based on the 1604 text.