Doctor Faustus

The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe. It is a tragedy. Marlowe's source was The English Faust Book of 1592. The play was first performed about 1592. It was first published in 1604. It tells of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for youth, power, knowledge, and wisdom. The play contains the well known line, "Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships?" The play was released as a movie in 1967 starring Richard Burton.

Dr. Faustus
Marlowe-Dr-Faustus-A-1604.jpg
First edition title page, 1604
Written byChristopher Marlowe
CharactersDr. Faustus
Mephistophilis
Date of premiereca. 1592
Place of premiereLondon, England
Original languageEnglish
SubjectDevil worship
GenreTragedy
Setting16th century Europe