What Aspects of the Gothic are Evident in the Presentation of Doctor Faustus in the Opening

Scenes of the Play?

The Gothic genre contains elements such as horror to evoke emotions of thrill and excitement
within the audience. Although Doctor Faustus was wrote before the Gothic term or genre
existed, when looked at in retrospect in contains many aspects which for a modern audience
would be considered Gothic.

Some aspects of the Gothic that are evident in the opening of the play are shown through the
setting. These elements are particularly evident in Act one Scene three where Faustus begins
to conjure. This conjuring is not only epitome Faustuss transgression in the opening
through necromancy but the culmination of the audiences anticipation which has been
mirrored and amplified through Faustuss own excitement in the thought of the rewards
promised to the studious artisan! through black magic. The Gothic setting in Scene three is
further intensified by Marlowes use of colour and time. Marlowe personifies the night as a
her who has dimed the scene with pitchy breath that gives description to a sombre and
uneasy tone which would create a frightful emotion within the audience. This uneasy feeling
is exacerbated through the gloomy shadow in which this episode takes place. Furthermore,
this reiterates Marlowes use of pathetic fallacy to depict the ominous setting that takes place
under the witching hour. Shadow does not only carry the tones of darkness associated with
scene but the secrecy and preternatural nature of the act Faustus is about to commit due its
taboo status in a culture dominated by religion. This effect of this taboo on the audience
would result in apprehension for Faustus because of the repercussions foreshadowed in the
prologue of Faustus mounting above his reach which Marlowe draws a classical allusion
from the myth of Icarus.

Elements of the Gothic are also evident through Marlowes characterization of Faustus.
Faustus is characterized in the prologue as swolln with cunning suggesting his prideful
nature. This is a transgression against the Elizabethan Chain of Being and against the
religious norm due to pride being one of the deadly sins which would anger the audience.
Marlowe further signifies Faustuss pride with the use of glutted which not only is reference
to the other deadly sin of gluttony, but the excess of pride. In Scene ones soliloquy, Faustus
logically goes through the four disciplines and dismisses all of them, which again shows his
apparent overabundance of pride in saying that a better subject fitteth Faustus wit. The
Gothic nature of this soliloquy takes hold through Marlowes juxtaposition of necromantic
and heavenly which suggests the divine nature of black magic. This would be seen as
blasphemy and would brand Faustus a heretic in a society where religion is the opium of the
people. The effect of this transgression against religion would create fear and dread within
the audience for when Faustuss impiety comes into fruition. Marlowe manifests this taboo in
Act one Scene three with Faustus engaging in sacrilegious incantations that result in the
summoning of Mephistopheles, this would shock the audience and evoke emotions of terror
from the supernatural horror they would be witnessing. Ironically, Faustus also fears the
demon that is too ugly to attend on him but nevertheless relishes in his accomplishment with
more blasphemous juxtaposition such as heavenly words.
Another Gothic aspect that is evident in the opening is that of the battle between good and
evil. During Act one Scene one, Faustus is visited by two angels, one of which tries to lead
him on the righteous path of reading the scriptures whereas the other tempts Faustus with
natures treasures. This forbidden knowledge of nature excites Faustus as shown through
him being glutted with the idea. This reminds the audience of his swollen pride referenced
in the prologue. Marlowe fortifies the excitement through Faustuss continuation of his
energetic and rapturous soliloquy in which he justifies the concealed arts. Marlowes use of
angels is reminiscent of some features of the morality play which were popular in the 15th
century. For a modern audience the angels are more likely to represent and act as a physical
manifestation of Faustuss conscience. The Gothic promise and embrace of forbidden
knowledge by Faustus would enrage the pious audience of the 16th century as God should
only access to forbidden knowledge. The effect of Faustus trying to obtain forbidden
knowledge would evoke fear within the audience as they would be reminded of the Fall of
Man in the bible but simultaneously evoke thrill and anticipation for when Faustus achieves
his goal and suffers at the result of it.

An aspect of the Gothic that is evident in the opening scenes is the sense of impending doom.
From the prologue, Marlowe foreshadows Faustuss downfall and states the means of this
through Faustus falling for that devilish exercise. Falling suggests that Faustus has literally
been ravished by black magic and thus has fell for it but also it could imply that Faustus has
fell from grace and his position due to his occult practices. This embodies the sense of
impending doom that would evoke concern within audience. Marlowe exacerbates this
concern through Faustuss folly when reciting the reward of sin is death and unintentionally
misquoting it. This is seen by critics such as David Benington who states that this illustrates
Faustuss foolishness, in spite of his supposed greater learning. This further adds to the sense
of impending doom as the audience would then question whether this foolishness will lead
him to greater folly. In Act one Scene two Marlowe appears to digress on subject of
impending doom with the comic encounter between Wagner and the Scholars (this is an
example of a humorous scene which were common in the 16th century to break tension)
which provides comic relief for the audience. This is scene functions not only as a break in
tension but as a reminder of Faustuss transgressions due to Marlowe using the Scholars to
mirror the concern and fear of the audience.

In conclusion, the opening scenes of Doctor Faustus do contain Gothic aspects that evoke
emotions of anticipation and excitement for the audience. However, depending on the period
in which the play would be viewed, the reaction would be different and would evoke different
emotions at certain points. Although Marlowe didnt intend to write opening with Gothic
elements, he has wrote an opening that would certainly be considered Gothic by a modern
audience.