The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe, first published in 1604. One of the most famous works of Renaissance drama, it tells the powerful and unsettling story of a brilliant scholar who becomes dissatisfied with the limits of human knowledge and makes a fateful bargain with the devil.

The play follows Doctor Faustus, a gifted academic who has mastered philosophy, medicine, law, and theology but yearns for greater power and understanding. Tempted by the promise of unlimited knowledge and magical abilities, he summons the demon Mephistopheles and agrees to sell his soul to Lucifer in exchange for twenty-four years of supernatural power. At first Faustus delights in illusions, spectacle, and displays of magical prowess, but beneath the entertainment runs a growing sense of dread as the consequences of his choice draw ever closer.

Combining dark tragedy with moments of satire and theatrical spectacle, Christopher Marlowe’s drama explores ambition, temptation, free will, and the dangers of overreaching human pride. Written during the height of the English Renaissance, the play helped shape the enduring legend of the “Faustian bargain” and remains one of the most influential works of early English theatre. With its haunting themes and unforgettable central character, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus continues to fascinate readers interested in classic literature, Elizabethan drama, and the timeless struggle between knowledge, power, and redemption.

This 1800's version was edited by Alexander Dyce.