In this engaging discussion, Professor Emma Smith, an authority on early modern drama from Oxford, joins in to dissect Marlowe's iconic 'Dr. Faustus.' They delve into the play's dark themes of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge, considering its moral implications. The conversation unveils how Faustus humanizes the devil, the impact of audience reactions on Renaissance theatre, and the timeless echoes of the Faustian pact in modern culture. They even explore the theatrical innovations that brought the supernatural to life for Elizabethan audiences.
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Dr. Faustus Rehearsal
Actors rehearsing Dr. Faustus saw an extra person, possibly the devil.
This mystique added to the play's spectacle and questions of reality.
insights INSIGHT
Real-Life Inspiration
Marlowe's Dr. Faustus was inspired by a real-life German necromancer.
The play draws on folklore about devilish bargains but subverts expectations.
insights INSIGHT
Supernatural and Science
The supernatural in Elizabethan drama was popular and linked to natural science.
John Dee, like Faustus, blended scientific and supernatural pursuits.
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The Firm follows Mitch McDeere, a top Harvard Law graduate, who is aggressively recruited by Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a small but highly lucrative law firm in Memphis. The firm offers him an irresistible package of benefits, including a high salary, a new BMW, payment of his law school loans, and a luxurious lifestyle. However, Mitch soon discovers that the firm is involved in illegal activities, particularly money laundering for the Mafia. As an FBI investigation unfolds, Mitch is pressured to cooperate while navigating a treacherous moral landscape, trying to protect his family and his own life. The novel is a gripping tale of ambition, morality, and the high-stakes world of legal and criminal intrigue.
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb steps into the electrifying world of Elizabethan theatre to unravel the dark allure of Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, a work that would forever change English drama. Together with Professor Emma Smith, she decodes the Renaissance masterpiece that dared to humanize the devil and challenge religious orthodoxy. How did Dr. Faustus become a cultural phenomenon that still echoes through history via Mary Shelley, John Grisham and James Bond?
Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.
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