Is this the play that launched a thousand quotes?

Working definition of hell: To be a playwright and a contemporary of William Shakespeare.

Christopher Marlowe's star never burned as brightly as that of fellow playwright William Shakespeare. That could be due largely to the fact that Marlowe died at the age of 29, stabbed in a bar over the small matter of the bill. However, it would be a fallacy to think Marlowe did not have talent that was nearly the equal of the old Bard. In fact, some conspiracy theorists might have you believe that Mr. Marlowe just might be responsible for those plays credited to one William Shakespeare. Whether that is true or not is something to be debated elsewhere. What can not be debated is the quality of one of Marlowe's better known works "Doctor Faustus."

Anyone who has seen the film "Shakespeare in Love" knows one line from this play already:

"Is this the face that launched a thousand ships, and burnt the topless towers of Ilium?" That is of course the line repeated over and over again as men were auditioning for Shakespeare's new play. It is spoken by the main character, Doctor John Faustus, and refers to the lovely Helen of Troy. Helen's kidnapping at the hands of Paris led to a great war of course.

Of course that great war was also way before Marlowe's time, so what the heck is Faustus talking about? He can't be looking at the Helen of Troy can he?

Sure he can. All he needs to do is sell his soul to the devil. Then he gets a demon servant to do whatever he chooses. Including, calling up people who have long since gone to meet their maker.

Faustus is a man who craves power. The beginning of the play is a very funny speech by Fautus as he tries to decide what career to pursue. Should he stay being a doctor? Perhaps philosopher is best? Or maybe he should be a lawyer? He finally decides on the noble pursuit of being a magician. I'm not talking rabbit in the hat type stuff folks. Old Faustus wants to become a student of the black arts. So he calls himself up a demon named Mephastophilis. Here then is the deal Faustus makes. He is given the service of a demon for 24 years; after which his soul belongs to Lucifer. Wow! Monty Hall doesn't have deals that good. Faustus readily agrees, signing the pledge in his own blood. Marlowe makes sure to keep the process from getting too dark. As he signs the contract the blood thickens too quickly. Mephastophilis is of course quite distressed and quickly fetches some hot coals to get the old blood flowing again. With the soul signed, sealed and all but delivered Faustus can now enjoy a couple dozen years of power.

He uses his demon friend to collect wealth, see the dead brought back for a short period of time and turn invisible so he can mess with the Pope. His Holiness is quite distressed when some unseen person takes his dinner, wine and smotes him on the noggin.

Along the way we are treated to the antics of Faustus' servants, who also try to use witchcraft for their benefit. Of course they just want booze and women. Each of the peasants gets a good little scare from some lesser demons and decides that maybe this whole worshipping the devil thing is kind of a lame idea.

Of course all will not end peaches and cream for old Faustus, who for some reason always refers to himself in the third person. Trotterman hates it when people do that. Trotterman wishes Marlowe had done something different, but Marlowe has some level of everlasting fame so who is Trotterman to say anything about it?

As the time of his contract comes closer to its end, Faustus realizes what it is he has done. After years of ignoring the advice of those close to him, Faustus finally realizes that some repentance might be a good idea. He figures God is a good guy, so waiting til the last minute will be okay. That way he gets his fame and doesn't have to go the hot spot. Poor Faustus, he gets what's coming to him in the end. One can't make a deal with the devil without giving the devil his due.

This really is a fantastic play. Marlowe uses the same double meanings in words and expressions that make Shakespearean plays some darned hilarious. His characters are very well written. Faustus is of course the main character. A man driven by power and lacking the foresight to see the error of his ways, Faustus is something of a tragic character.

The idea of making a deal with Lucifer is old folklore and somewhat laughable now, but was pretty serious business back in Marlowe's day. Widespread belief in the existence of devils walking about the world made this play something of a sermon to the masses. I've read accounts of performances where strange sounds came from all corners of theaters, and extra devils appeared on stage during the performance. Faustus' literal selling of his soul no doubt sent quite the message to the peanut gallery.

Anyone who enjoyed this play, and if you didn't you're dumb, would be well served to read a brace of Marlowe plays with similar themes. "Tamburlaine" and "The Jew of Malta" each are about a main character and his somewhat shameless pursuit of power. Go ahead and read some more Shakespeare as well, I hear that guy had it going on.