THE DAMNABLE DOCTOR FAUSTUS (mixed-media version '95)

This was a production which I wrote for Nada, Inc.'s Faust Festival in 1995, but due to various problems was cancelled. Later planned to do it with Expanded Arts, but that never materialised. The next year did a reading with Creations Unlimited, and with that group developed it into a longer play (which will post later).



THE DAMNABLE DOCTOR FAUSTUS

by David M. Nevarrez
from the Faustbuch
Marlowe's play
and historical references by contemporaries

C 1995 David M. Nevarrez





Dramatis Personae:
Wagner - Faustus’ famulus and biographer
Faustus - scholar of Wittenberg
Cornelius - magician, friend of Faustus
Valdes - dog, devilish companian of Cornelius
Mephostophiles - a spirit
Devil Woman - spirit, seducer
Beelzebub - a supreme spirit
The Pope
The Emperor - of Germany
The Knight - of the Emperor’s court
Spirit of Alexander the Great
Count and Countess of Anhalt
A Scholar - student, friend of Faustus
Helen of Greece - spirit (to be played by same actor/actress as Mephostophiles)
Klinge - a monk
students

on video:
Johannes Tritheim - Abbot of monastary at Wurzburg
Conrad Mutianus Rufus - Canon of St. Mary’s Church
Kilian Lieb - prior of Rebdorf in Bavaria
Joachim Camerarius - reformer

on audio:
Hans Muller - chamberlain to Bishop of Bamburg
Records of the City of lngolstadt
Records of the City Council of Nuremberg




Prologue:

Spot on Wagner, in old age.

WAGNER
A good evening, good gentlefolk, we shall now relate the form of
Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad.
He is born, his parents base of stock, in Germany, within a town cal-
led Roda; of riper years to Wittenberg he went, where his kinsman
brought him up. Soon he profits in divinity, and was graced with
doctor’s name, excelling all those disputes in matters of theology;
till swollen with cunning, of self-conceit, and glutted with learning’s
gifts, he delves into cursed necromancy,nothing so sweet as magic
is to him, which he prefers to heavenly pursuits.

Exits.





VIDEO:

TITLE - “Johannes Tritheim,
Abbot of the monastary at Wurzburg
20th day of August, A.D. 1507.”

HS of Tritheim.

TRITHEIM
The man, Georg Sabellicus, who has presumed to call himself the
prince of necromancers, is a vagabond, a babbler and a rogue, who
deserves to be thrashed so that he may not henceforth rashly venture
to profess in public things so execrable and so hostile to the holy
church. For what, other than symptoms of a very foolish and insane
mind, are the titles assumed by this man, who shows himself to be a
fool and not a philosopher? For thus he has formulated the title
befitting him: Master Georgius Sabellicus, the younger Faustus, the
chief of necromancers, astrologer, the second magus, palmist, diviner
with earth and fire, second in the art of divination with water.
Behold the foolish temerity of the man, the madness by which he is
possessed, in that he dares to call himself the source of necromancy
when in truth, in his ignorance of all good letters, he ought to call
himself a fool rather than a master. But his wickedness is not hidden
from me. When I was returning last year from Mark Brandenburg, I
happened upon this same man in the town of Gelnhausen, and many silly
things were told me about him at the inn, -- things promised by him
with great rashness on his part. As soon as he heard that I was there,
he fled from the inn and could not be persuaded to come into my
presence. The description of his folly, which we have mentioned, he
also sent to me through a certain citizen. Certain priests in the same
town told me that he had said, in the presence of many people, that he
had acquired such knowledge of all wisdom and such a memory, that if
all the books of Plato and Aristotle, together with their whole
philosophy, had totally passed from the memory of man, he himself,
through his own genius would be able to restore them all with increased
beauty. Afterwards, while I was at Speyer, he came to Wurzburg and,
impelled by the same vanity, is reported to have said in presence of
many that the miracles of Christ the Saviour were not so wonderful,
that he himself could do all the things which Christ had done, as often
and whenever he wished. Towards the end of Lent of the present year he
came to Kreuznach and with like folly and boastfulness made great
promises, saying that in alchemy he was the most learned man of all
times and that by his knowledge and ability, he could do whatever anyone
might wish. In the meantime there was vacant in the same town the
position of schoolmaster, to which he was appointed through the
influence of Franz von Sickingen, the magistrate of your prince and a
man very fond of mystical lore. Then he began to indulge in the most
dastardly kind of lewdness with the boys and when this was discovered,
he avoided by flight the punishment that awaited him. These are the
things which I know through very definite evidence concerning the man
who is not a philosopher but a fool with an overabundance of rashness.

Fade to black.





Scene 1: Faustus’ study

Lights up on Faustus at his desk.

FAUSTUS
Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin to sound the depth of that
thou wilt profess; having commenced, be a divine in show, yet level
and at the end of every art, and live and die in Aristotle’s works.
Sweet Analytics, ‘tis thou hast ravished me, “To argue well is the
end of logic.” Is to dispute well logic’s chiefest end? Affords this
art no greater miracle? Then read no more, thou hast attained the end;
a greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit. Seeing uwhere the philosopher
leaves off, there the physician begins.” Be a physcian, Faustus,
heap up gold, and be immortalised for some wondrous cure. “The end of
physic is our body’s health. Why, Faustus, hast thou not attained that
end! Yet art thou still Faustus and a man. Couldst thou make men to
live eternally, or, being dead, raise them to life again, then this
profession were to be esteemed. Physic, farewell, -- where is
Justinian?
(takes law book, reads)
“If one and the same thing is bequeathed to two persons one gets the
thing and the other the value of the thing.” A pretty case of paltry
legacies!
(reads)
“A father cannot disinherit the son except, etc.” Such is the subject
of the Institute and universal Body of the Law, It’s study fits a
mercenary drudge, who aims at nothing but external trash; too servile
and illiberal for me. When all is done, divinity is best; Jerome’s
Bible, Faustus, view it well.
(takes bible, reads)
“The reward of sin is death.” Ha! That’s hard.
(reads)
“If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and there’s no
thruth in us.” Why then, belike we must sin, and so consequently die.
Ay, we must die an everlasting death. What doctrine call you this,
“Che sera sera? Divinity, adieu.

He pushes the books off his desk, stands. He ponders the bookcases.

FAUSTUS
These metaphysics of magicians and necromantic books are heavenly.

He takes a book from the shelf, looks through it.

FAUSTUS
Lines, circles, scenes, letters and characters, ay, these are those
that Faustus most desires.
(sits with book)
Oh what a world of profit and delight, of power, of honour, of
omnipotence is promised to the studious artisan! Here, Faustus, try
thy brains to gain a deity.
(reads, beat)
Wagner!

Beat. Enter (young) Wagner.

FAUSTUS
Commend me to my dearest friend, Cornelius Agrippa; request him
earnestly to visit me.

WAGNER
I will, sir.

He exits.

FAUSTUS
His conference will be a greater help to me than all my labours, plod
I never so fast.

He reads. F.O.





Scene 2: The same

Faustus reading. Wagner leads in Cornelius Agrippa and Valdes, a black dog. Faustus rises, crosses to greet them. Wagner exits.

FAUSTUS
Come, Cornelius, and German Valdes, and make me blest with your sage
conference. Cornelius, and Valdes, sweet Valdes, know that your words
have won me at the last to practise magic and concealed arts: yet not
your words only, but mine own fantasy that will receive no object, for
my head but ruminates on necromantic skill.

Wagner enters with two goblets. Faustus takes them, giving one to Cornelius, then looking to Valdes, who waves a paw.

CORNELIUS
Then tell me, Faustus, what shall you want?

FAUSTUS
Philosophy is odious and obscure, both law and physic are for petty
wits; divinity is basest of the four, unpleasant, harsh, contemptible,
and vile: ‘tis magic, magic, that hath ravished me.
(beat, Cornelius smiling and nodding his head)
Then, gentle friend, aid me in this attempt; and I will be as cunning
as Agrippa is,
(Cornelius bows)
whose shadows make all Europe honour him.

CORNELIUS
Faustus, these books, thy wit, and experience shall make all nations
canonise us. The spirits of every element shall always be serviceable
to us; like lions shall they guard us when we please; sometimes like
women or unwedded maids, shadowing more beauty in their airy brows
than have the white breasts of the queen of love; and fetch the
treasure of all foreign wracks, ay, all the wealth that our
forefathers hid within the massy entrails of the earth, if learned
Faustus will be resolute.

FAUSTUS
Cornelius, as resolute am I in this as thou to live; therefore object
it not.

CORNELIUS
The miracles that magic will perform will make thee vow to study
nothing else. He that is grounded in astrology, enriched of tongues,
as well seen in minerals, hath all the principles magic doth require.
Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renowned, and more frequented for
this mystery than heretofore the Delphian Oracle.

FAUSTUS
Oh this cheers my soul! Come show me some demonstrations magical,
that I may conjure in some lusty grove, and have these joys in full
possession.

VALDES
Then get thee to some solitary grove, and bear wise Bacon’s and
d’Abano’s works, and whatsoever else is requisite we will inform thee
ere our conference cease.

CORNELIUS
Valdes, first let him know the words of art; and then, all other
ceremonies learned, Faustus may try his cunning by himself.

VALDES
First I’ll instruct him in the rudiments, and then wilt he be
perfecter than thou.

FAUSTUS
Then come and dine with me, and we’ll canvas every aspect therefore;
for I’ll conjure though I die therefore.

F.O.





VIDEO:
TITLE - “Conrad Mutianus Rufus,
Canon of the Church of St. Mary’s at Gotha
October 3, 1513.”

HS of Conrad Mutianus Rufus.

RUFUS
Eight days ago there came to Erfurt a certain soothsayer by the
name of Georg Faustus, the demigod of Heidelberg, a mere braggart
and fool. His claims, like those of all diviners, are idle and such
physiognomy has no more weight than a water spider. The ignorant
marvel at him. Let the theologians rise against him and not try to
destroy the philosopher Reuchlin. I heard him babbling at an inn, but
did not reprove his boastfulness. What is the foolishness of other
people to me?

Fade to black.





Scene 3: A grove at midnight

Enter Faustus.

FAUSTUS
(as he picks a spot, draws a circle
about him, and symbols upon it)
Faustus, begin thine incantations, and try if devils will obey thy hest,
seeing thou has prayed and sacrificed to them. Within this circle is
Yahweh’s name, forward and backward anagrammatised, figures of every
adjunct to the Heavens, and characters of signs and erring stars, by
which the spirits are enforced to rise: then fear not, Faustus, but be
resolute, and try the uttermost magic can perform.

He stands in the center of the circle, him arms spread out.

FAUSTUS
(recites)
Sint mihi Dei Acherontis propitii! Valeat numen triplex Jehovae! Ignei
airii, aquatani spiritus, terra! Beelzebub, inferni monarcha, et
Demogorgon, proitiamus VOS, Ut appareat et surgat Mephostophiles.
(beat)
Why dost thou delay?
(recites)
Per Jehovam, Gehennam, et consecratum aquam quam nunc spargo, signumque
crucis quod nunc facio, et per vota nostra, ipse nunc surgat nobis
dicatus Mephostophiles!

Enter Mephostophiles in devilish form (shadow projection).

FAUSTUS
I charge thee to return and change thy shape: thou art too ugly to
attend on me. Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; that holy shape
becomes a devil best.

Mephostophiles exits.

FAUSTUS
Now, Faustus, thou art conjurer laureat, for indeed thou hast power in
the image of thy brother Mephostophiles.

Enter Mephostophiles as a Franciscan friar.

MEPHOSTOPHILES
Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me to do?

FAUSTUS
I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, to do whatever Faustus shall
command.

MEPH.
I am a servant to great Lucifer, and may not follow thee without his
leave.

FAUSTUS
Did not he charge thee to appear to me?

MEPH.
No, I came hither of mine own accord.

FAUSTUS
Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee?

MEPH.
That was the cause, for the shortest cut for conjuring is stoutly to
abjure Christian doctrine, and pray to the Horned One.

FAUSTUS
So Faustus hath already done. Go bear these tidings to great Lucifer:
Say Faustus surrenders up to him his soul, so he will spare him four and
twenty years, letting him live in all voluptuousness; having thee ever
to attend no me; to give me whatsoever I demand, to slay mine enemies,
and aid my friends, always be obedient to my will. Go and return to
mighty Lucifer, and meet me in my study at midnight, and then resolve me
of thy master’s mind.

MEPH.
I will, Faustus.

Meph. exits

FAUSTUS
Had I as many souls as there be stars, I’d give them all for
Mephostophiles. Now that I have obtained what I desire, I’ll live in
speculation of this art till Mephostophiles return again.

Black out.





Scene 4: Faustus’ study

Faustus at his desk, reading.

FAUSTUS
Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned, and canst thou not be saved.
What boots it then to think of God or Heaven? Now go not backward; no,
Faustus, be resolute. Why waverest thou? 0, something soundeth in mine
ears: “Abjure this magic, turn to God again!” To God? -- he loves thee
not -- the God thou servest is thine own appetite. When Mephostophiles
shall stand by me, what God can hurt thee, Faustus? Thou art safe; cast
no more doubts. Come, Mephostophiles, and bring glad tidings from great
Lucifer. Veni, veni, Mephostophiles!

Meph. enters. Faustus rises.

FAUSTUS
Now tell me, what says Lucifer thy lord?

MEPH.
That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, so he will buy my service
with his soul.

FAUSTUS
Ay, Mephostophiles, I give it thee.

MEPH.
But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solemnly, and write a deed of gift
with thine own blood.

Faustus picks up a knife off the desk, cuts his palm.

FAUSTUS
Lo, Mephostophiles, for love of thee, I cut mine hand, and with my proper
blood assure my soul to be great Lucifer’s.

MEPH.
But, Faustus, thou must write it in manner of a deed of gift.

FAUSTUS
Ay, so I will.

He takes a piece of parchment, and writes.

FAUSTUS
But, Mephostophiles, my blood congeals, and I can write no more.
(looking at his hand)
What might the staying of my blood portend? Is it unwilling I should
write this bill? Is not thy soul thine own? Then write again, Faustus
gives to thee his soul.

Faustus tries again to write. Meph. flashes a flame from hand.

MEPH.
Here’s fire.
(presses hand against Faustus’ wound)
Come, Faustus, set it on.

FAUSTUS
So now the blood begins to clear again; now will I make an end
immediaely.
(reads as writes)
I, Georg Sabel, Doctor Faustus, do publicly declare with mine own hand
in covenant and by power of these presents:
(Meph. circles around as he continues)
Whereas, mine own spiritual faculties having been exhaustively explored,
including the gifts dispensed from above and graciously imparted to me,
I still cannot comprehend. And whereas, it being my wish to probe further
into the matter, I do propose to speculate upon the Elementa; and whereas
mankind doth not teach such things. Now therefore have I summoned the
spirit who calleth himself Mephostophiles, a servant of the Lord of Light,
charged with informing and instructing me, and agreeing against a
promissory instrument hereby transferred unto him to be subservient and
obedient to me in all things. I do promise him in return that, when I be
fully sated of that which I desire of him, twenty-four years also being
past, ended and expired, he may at such a time and in whatever manner or
wise pleaseth him order, ordain, reign, rule and possess all that may be
mine: body, property, flesh, blood, etc., herewith duly bound over in
eternity and surrendered by covenant in mine own hand by authority and
power of these presents, as well as of my mind, brain, intent, blood and
will. I do now defy all human laws, all the Christian dogma and all
restriction, and this must be. In confirmation and contract whereof I have
drawn out mine own blood for certification in lieu of a seal. Doctor
Faustus, the Adept in Elementa and in Church Doctrine.

MEPH.
Speak, Faustus, dost thou deliver this as thy deed?

FAUSTUS
Ay, take it, and the Devil give thee good on it.

MEPH.
Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt.

FAUSTUS
Let me have a wife. The fairest maid in Germany, for I am wanton and
lascivious, and cannot live without a wife.

MEPH.
How -- a wife? I prithee, Faustus, talk not of a wife. Marriage is but
a ceremonial toy. I’ll cull thee out the fairest courtesans, and bring
them every morning to thy bed; she whom thine eye shall like, thy heart
shall have.

Faustus glowers lasciviously. Meph laughs, causing Faustus to look uncertain. B.O.





Scene 5: The same

Faustus muses at his desk. Enter Meph, carrying a book.

MEPH.
(handing him the book)
Here, Faustus, take this book, persue it thoroughly: the iterating of
these lines brings gold.

Faustus peruses the book.

MEPH.
(pointing in book)
The framing of this circle on the ground brings whirlwinds, tempests,
thunder and lightning.

Faustus turns more pages. Meph. stops him.

MEPH.
Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, and men in armour shall
appear to thee, ready to execute what thou desirest.

FAUSTUS
Thanks, Mephostophiles; yet fain would I have a book wherein I might
behold all spells and incantations, that I might raise up spirits when
I please.

MEPH.
(indicates book)
Here they are, in this book.

FAUSTUS
(nodding, looking though book)
Now would I have a book where I might see all characters and planets of
the heavens, that I might know their motions and dispositions.

MEPH.
(turning pages)
Here they are too.

FAUSTUS
Nay, let me have one book more -- and then I have done -- wherein I might
see all plants, herbs, and trees that grow upon the earth.

MEPH.
(pressing finger firmly on book)
Here they be.

Faustus looks satisfied.

FAUSTUS
Now will I question thee about hell. Tell me where is the place that men
call hell?

MEPH.
(bored)
Under the heavens.

FAUSTUS
Ay, but whereabouts?

MEPH.
Within the bowels of these elements. Hell hath no limits, nor is
circumscribed in one self place; for where we are is hell, and where
hell is there must we ever be. And, to conclude, when all the world
dissolves, and every creature shall be purified, all places shall be
hell that is not heaven.

FAUSTUS
Come, I think hell’s a fable.

MEPH.
Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.

FAUSTUS
Why, thinkest thou then that Faustus shall be damned?

MEPH.
(amused)
Ay, of necessity, for here’s the scroll wherein thou hast given thy
soul to Lucifer.

FAUSTUS
Ay, and body too; but what of that? Thinkest thou that Faustus is so
foolish to imagine that, after this life, there is any pain? Tush, these
are trifles, and mere old wives’ tales. But, leave these vain trifles of
men’s souls. Tell me, what is that Lucifer, thy lord?

MEPH.
Commander of the lower spirits.

FAUSTUS
Was not that Lucifer an angel once?

MEPH.
(amused)
Yes, Faustus... and most dearly loved of God.

FAUSTUS
How comes it then that he is Prince of devils?

MEPH.
0, by aspiring pride and insolence; for which he fell from the face of
heaven.

FAUSTUS
And what are you that you live with Lucifer?

MEPH.
Spirits that fell with Lucifer.

FAUSTUS
Where are you damned?

MEPH.
In hell.

FAUSTUS
How comes it then that thou art out of hell?

MEPH.
Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think’st thou that I who sored in
the heavens, am not tormented with ten thousand hells, in being chained
to this rock? 0 Faustus, leave these frivolous demands, for thy soul may
not withstand such force.

FAUSTUS
What, is great Mephostophiles so passionate for being deprived of the
joys of heaven?
(beat)
Tell me who made the world?

MEPH.
I will not.

FAUSTUS
Sweet Mephostophiles, tell me.

MEPH.
Move me not, for I will not tell thee.

FAUSTUS
Villain, have I not bound thee to tell me anything?

MEPH.
Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art damned.

FAUSTUS
Think, Faustus, upon God that made the world.

Meph. smiles maliciously. Enter a devil in the form of a woman, dances about Faustus. Meph. moves into shadow.

WOMAN
Too late. If thou repent, devils shall tear thee in pieces.

FAUSTUS
What art thou?

WOMAN
(swelling)
I am Pride.

Faustus looks bewildered.

WOMAN
(grabbing at his book)
I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl.

Faustus pulls away, protecting his book.

WOMAN
(enraged)
I am Wrath. I was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you shall
be my father.

FAUSTUS
(confused)
Away to hell, to hell!

The Woman crosses to him.

WOMAN
(pulling and sniffing at his clothes)
I am Envy. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt. I am
lean with seeing others eat.

She turns away, hugging her stomach.

WOMAN
I am Gluttony.
(imploring sweetness)
Faustus, wilt thou bid me to supper?

FAUSTUS
No, I’ll see thee hanged: thou wilt eat up all my victuals.

WOMAN
(sullen)
Then the Devil choke thee!

FAUSTUS
Choke thyself, glutton!

The Woman languors.

WOMAN
I am Sloth.
(as she lays upon the floor)
I was begotten on a sunny bank, where I have lain ever since.

She falls asleep. Faustus leans over her. She reaches an arm up around his neck, lasciviously.

FAUSTUS
(nervously)
What are you now, Mistress Minx?

WOMAN
Who, I, sir? The first letter of my name begins with L.

She licks his face, he jumps back, she laughs, looking seductive. Meph. steps forward.

MEPH.
Tell me, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?

FAUSTUS
(insensed)
A plague on her for a hot whore!

The Woman rises, crosses to Faustus, caressing him; he succumbs, they kiss passionately. F.O.





AUDIO:

MULLER
Hans Muller, chamberlain to the Bishop of Bamberg, annual accounts from
Walpurgis 1519 to Walpurgis 1520. Entry on February 12, 1520, under the
heading “Miscellaneous.” 10 gulden given and presented as a testimonial
to Doctor Faustus, the philosopher, who made for my master a horoscope
or prognostication.
Paid on the Sunday after Saint Scholastica’s Day by the order of his
reverence.





Scene 6: The study

Enter Faustus and Meph.

FAUSTUS
When I behold the heavens, then I repent, and curse thee, wicked
Mephostophiles, because thou hast deprived me of those joys.

MEPH.
Why, Faustus, thinkest thou heaven is such a glorious thing?

FAUSTUS
If it were made for man, ‘twas made for me; I will renounce this magic
and repent.

Faustus sits at his desk, brooding. Meph. merely looks on.

FAUSTUS
My heart’s so hardened I cannot repent. Scarce can I name salvation,
faith, or heaven, but fearful echoes thunder in mine ears.
(beat)
Why should I die? Or basely despair?
(standing)
Come, Mephostophiles, let us dispute again, and argue of divine
astrology. Tell me, are there many heavens above the moon? Are all
celestial bodies but one globe, as is the substance of this centric
earth?

MEPH.
As are the elements, such are the spheres mutually folded in each
other’s orb, whose terminine is termed the Universum.

FAUSTUS
But tell me, have they all one motion, both in direction and in time?

MEPH.
All jointly move in circular poles, but differ in their motion of time.

FAUSTUS
Tush, these are freshman’s suppositions. But tell me, hath every sphere
a dominion?

MEPH.
Ay.

FAUSTUS
How many heavens, or spheres, are there?

MEPH.
Many: the planets round the sun, the sun with other suns and others
like to make up the Universe. And beyond.

FAUSTUS
(looking puzzled)
Well, resolve me in this question: why have we not conjunctions,
oppositions, aspects, eclipses, all at one time, but in some years we
have more, in some less?

MEPH.
On account of their unequal motion in relation to the whole.

FAUSTUS
(bewildered)
Well, I am answered.

Faustus turns away, brooding.

MEPH.
Remember this...

FAUSTUS
Ay, go, accursed spirit, to ugly hell. ‘Tis thou has damned distressed
Faustus’ soul.
(to himself)
Is’t not too late?
(looking heavenward)
Ah, Christ, my saviour, seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul.

Enter Beelzebub (with a mirror face).

BEELZEBUB
Christ will not save thy soul, there’s none but I have interest in the
same.

FAUSTUS
0, who art thou?

BEELZEBUB
I am Beelzebub, come to show thee hell.

Beelzebub grabs Faustus, the lights flash, Beelzebub carries Faustus around as strange shadows dance about. Beelzebub leads Faustus to the mirror, where Faustus sees a demonic version of himself. Faustus faints, falls to the floor. B.O.


The heavens. Stars swirling round as Faustus looks in wonder with Mephostophiles at
his side.

FAUSTUS
The earth looks so small from hence.

MEPH.
So it is.

F.O.





AUDIO:

VOICE
From the Records of the City of Ingolstadt:
a. Minute on the actions of the city council in Ingolstadt.
Today, the Wednesday after St. Vitus’ Day, 1528. The soothsayer shall
be ordered to leave the city and to spend his penny elsewhere.
b. Record of those banished from Ingolstadt.
On Wednesday after St. Vitus’ Day, 1528, a certain man who called
himself Dr. Georg Faustus of Heidelberg was told to spend his penny
elsewhere and he pledged himself not to take vengeance on or make fools
of the authorities for this order.





VIDEO:

TITLE - “From the Journal of Kilian Lieb,
prior of Rebdorf in Bavaria
July 1528.”

HS of Kilian Lieb.

LIEB
Georg Faustus of Helmstet said on the fifth of June that when the Sun
and Jupiter are in the same constellation prophets are born, presumably
such as he. He asserted that he was the commander or preceptor of the
order of the Knights of St. John at a place called Hallestein on the
border of Carinthia.





Enter (aged) Wagner into spot.

WAGNER
Learned Faustus, to know the secrets of astronomy, graven in the book
of Jove’s high firmament, did mount himself to scale Olympus’ top,
being seated in a chariot burning bright, drawn by the strength of yoky
dragons’ necks. He now is gone to prove cosmography, and will first
arrive at Rome, to see the Pope and manner of his court, and take some
part of holy Peter’s feast, that to this day is highly solemnised.





Scene 7: The Pope’s privy-chamber.

Enter Faustus and Meph.

FAUSTUS
Having now, my good Mephostophiles, passed the stately town of Treves,
environed round with airy mountain-tops. From Paris next, coasting the
realm of France; we saw the river Maine fall into the Rhine, then up to
Naples, rich Campania, where saw we learned Virgil’s golden tomb. From
thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest. Thus hitherto has Faustus spent
his time. But tell me, now, what resting-place is this? Hast thou, as
erst I did command, conducted me within the walls of Rome?

MEPH.
Faustus, I have; and because we will not be unprovided, I have taken up
his holiness’ privy-chamber for our use.

FAUSTUS
I hope his holiness will bid us welcome.

MEPH.
Tut, ‘tis no matter, man, we’ll be bold with his good cheer.

FAUSTUS
I do long to see the monuments and situation of bright-splendent Rome.
Come therefore, let’s away.

MEPH.
Nay, Faustus, stay; I know you’d see the Pope, and take some part of
holy Peter’s feast, where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate friars,
whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer.

FAUSTUS
Well, I’m content to compass then some sport, and by their folly make us
merriment. Then charm me, Mephostophiles, that I may be invisible, to do
what I please unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.

Meph. puts his arms out, on either side of Faustus, bringing them down from head to foot.

MEPH.
So, Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned.

Enter the Pope -- a marionette manipulated by Beelzebub. Faustus dances about him, waving his hands in front of his face, gleefully enjoying his invisibility. The Pope looks around him, Beelzebub mimicking his confusion. Faustus kicks the Pope, who cries out, and starts running around the room, with Faustus in hot pursuit. The Pope runs out. Faustus stops, laughing.

FAUSTUS
Come, Mephostophiles, what shall we do?

MEPH.
Nay, I know not. We shall be cursed with bell, book, and candle.

FAUSTUS
How! Bell, book, and candle -- candle, book, and bell, forward and
backward to curse Faustus to hell! Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a
calf bleat, and an ass bray, because it is St. Peter’s holiday.

Faustus laughs, as Meph. leads him out.





Spot on (aged) Wagner.

WAGNER
When Faustus had with pleasure taken the view of rarest things, and
royal courts of kings, he stayed his course, and so returned home;
where his friends, and nearest companions, did gratulate his safety
with kind words, and in their conference of what befell, touching his
journey through the world and air, they put forth questions of Astrology,
which Faustus answered with such learned skill, as they admired and
wondered at his wit. Now is his fame spread forth in every land; amongst
the rest the Emperor is one, Charles the Fifth, at whose palace now
Faustus is feasted ‘mongst his noblemen. What there he did in trial of
his art, I leave untold -- your eyes shall see performed.





Scene 8: The Court of the Emperor (a pantomime)

Enter the Faustus, the jolly Emperor and the stifly macho Knight. The Emperor bounces over to his throne, the Knight steps to one side, scowling at Faustus, who gesticulates dramatically as he performs various illusions, to which the Emperor laughs and the Knight scoffs, both more and more vehemently. For the finale, Faustus “conjurs” the “spirit of Alexander the Great”. The Emperor claps and hops about. The Knight throws up his hands and goes to the window, where he sticks his head out. Faustus “conjurs away” Alexander, bowing low to the Emperor. He looks at the Knight, waves his hands in his direction, then indicates to the Emperor to look, which he does, which sends him into new gails of laughter. The Knight is startled, and tries unsuccessfully to pull it back in. He struggles to no avail, as the Emperor laughs. Finally, Faustus waves his hands again, the Knight is “released” and tumbles into the room, making the Emperor laugh all the harder. Faustus just smiles to himself maliciously. F.O.





Scene 9: A road

Faustus enters. He crosses at a leisurely pace. Wagner enters, runs up to Faustus.

FAUSTUS
How now, Wagner, what’s the news with thee?

WAGNER
Sir, the Count of Anhalt doth earnestly entreat your company.

FAUSTUS
The Count of Anhalt! An honourable gentleman, to whom I must be no
niggard of my cunning. Come, let’s away to him.





AUDIO:

VOICE
Entry in the Records of the City Council of Nuremberg. May 10, 1532.
Safe conduct to Doctor Faustus, the great sodomite and necromancer,
at Furth refused.





Scene 10: The Court of the Count of Anhalt (even more pantomime)

Enter the Count and Countess, followed by Faustus, all carrying goblets. The Count raises his goblet, pontificating. The Countess looks at Faustus, makes a pass at him. The Count puts down his goblet, addresses Faustus. Faustus bows, then raises his arms, snaps his fingers. Meph., unseen to the Count or Countess, enters, crosses to Faustus, hands him a bunch of grapes, then exits. Faustus crosses to the Count with the grapes, holds them up over the Count’s goblet, and wrings out wine. The Count, delighted, drinks deeply. Laughing, he leads the way out, as Faustus and the Countess follow slowly kissing and fondling each other. F.O.





Scene 11: Faustus’ study

Enter Faustus, Wagner and a Scholar.

SCHOLAR
Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference about fair ladies, we have
determined with ourselves that Helen of Greece was the admirablest lady
that ever lived; therefore, Master Doctor, if you will do us that favour,
as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, whom all the world
admires for majesty, we should think ourselves beholding unto you.

FAUSTUS
Sir, you shall behold that peerless dame of Greece, as when Paris
crossed the seas with her, and brought the spoils to rich Troy. Be
silent, then, for danger is in words.

Faustus crosses to a draped mirror. He undrapes it, waves his hands in front of it, as the Scholar and Wagner watch. Smoke fills the mirror, then an image forms, Helen of Greece, in the distance. She slowly appoaches the mirror. She smiles at the three men. Then the image fades. The three men stand enraptured.

WAGNER
Too simple is my wit to tell her praise, whom all the world admires for
majesty.

SCHOLAR
Since we have seen the pride of Nature’s works and only paragon of
excellence, I’ll take my leave, and for this blessed sight happy and
blest be Faustus evermore.

FAUSTUS
Sir, farewell -- the same I wish to you.

Wagner and the Scholar exit. Faustus muses at the mirror.





Scene 12: The same

Enter Wagner, followed by the monk, Dr. Klinge.

WAGNER
Doctor Klinge wishes your attendance, sir.

Faustus breaks from his reverie.

KLINGE
O gentle Faustus, leave this damned art, this magic that will charm thy
soul to hell, and quite bereave thee of salvation. Though thou hast now
offended like a man, do not persevere in it like a devil. Yet, thou hast
an amiable soul, if sin by custom grow not in nature. Then, Faustus,
will repentance come too late; then thou art banished from the sight of
heaven. No mortal can express the pains of hell. May be this my
exhortation seems harsh and all unpleasant; let it not, for, gentle son,
I speak it not in wrath or envy of thee, but in tender love and pity of
thy future misery. And so have hope that this my kind rebuke, checking
thy body, may amend thy soul.

FAUSTUS
(fearful)
Where art thou, Faustus? Wretch, what has thou done? Damned art thou,
Faustus, damned; despair and die!

KLINGE
Then call for mercy and avoid despair.

FAUSTUS
(recovers himself)
Ah, sweet Brother Klinge, I feel thy words to comfort my distressed
soul. Leave me a while to ponder on my sins.

KLINGE
I go, sweet Faustus, but with heavy cheer, fearing the ruin of thy
hopeless soul.

He exits.

FAUSTUS
(despairing)
Accursed Faustus, where is mercy now? I do repent; and yet I do despair;
hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast: what shall I do to
shun the snares of death?

Meph. enters.

MEPH.
Thou art a fool, Faustus, to heed this childish noise. Be resolute in
thy will.

FAUSTUS
Sweet Mephostophiles, pardon my unjust presumption. And with my blood
again I will confirm my former vow.

MEPH.
Do it then quickly, with unfeigned heart, lest greater danger do attend
thy drift.

Faustus sits at the desk, picks up a dagger, cuts his hand, and writes upon paper.

FAUSTUS
(reading what he writes)
I, Doctor Georg Faustus, do declare in this mine own hand and blood:
whereas I have truly and strictly observed my first instrumentum and
pact for these nineteen years, in defiance of God and all mankind; and
whereas, pledging body and soul, I therein did empower the mighty God
Lucifer with full authority over me so soon as five more years be past;
and whereas he hath further promised me to increase my days in death,
thereby shortening my days in Hell, also not to allow me to suffer any
pain; now therefore do I further promise him that I will never more
heed the admonitions, teachings, scoldings, instructions or threats of
fearful mankind; but particularly do I promise to heed no propagandist
of religious dogma. In good faith and resolve contracted by these
presents and in mine own blood, etc.

He hands the paper to Meph.

FAUSTUS
Torment, sweet friend, that base and aged monk that durst dissuade me
from my path, with greatest torment that hell affords.

MEPH.
He is but a gentle soul, leave him be.

F.O.





Scene 13: A grove (more pantomime)

Enter the Knight, weary. He stops to rest. From the opposite end, strolling leisurely.
The Knight sees Faustus, draws his sword and stands to. Faustus sees the Knight and
stops. The Knight threatens Faustus, brandishing his sword. He lunges, Faustus hops
to one side, kicking him in the rear as he goes by. The Knight almost falls on his face,
but recovers. The Knight is now livid. He lifts his sword again in readiness. Faustus
grins mischievously Meph. enters behind the Knight, carrying a cudgel, with which he
bops the Knight on the head. The Knight wobbles around and then spirals down to the
ground., unconscious. Faustus laughs, crosses to Meph., and they exit. F.O.





Scene 14: Faustus’ study

Faustus sits musing on the covered mirror. Enter Meph.

MEPH.
What mayest I bring thee, Faustus?

FAUSTUS
One thing, good servant, let me crave of thee, to glut the longing of my
heart’s desire, — that I might have unto my paramour that heavenly Helen,
which I saw of late.

MEPH.
Faustus, this or what else thou shalt desire shall be performed in
twinkling of an eye.

Meph. crosses to the mirror, removes the cover. Faustus looks. Helen stands in the mirror, with open arms.

FAUSTUS
(crossing to the mirror)
Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless
towers of Ilium?
(pressing his face to the glass)
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.
(kisses her)
Her lips suck forth my soul. See where it flies! Come, Helen, come, give
me my soul again. Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these lips, and
all is dross that is not Helena. None but thou shalt be my paramour.

The image fades. Then Meph. removes the monk’s robe, revealing Helen. Faustus, overcome, takes her in his arms. F.O.





VIDEO:

TITLE - “Joachim Camerarius,
presently reforming the University at Tubingen
the 13th of August, 1536.”

CAMERARIUS
I owe to your friend Faustus the pleasure of discussing these affairs
with you. I wish he had taught you something of this sort rather than
puffed you up with the wind of silly superstition or held you in
suspense with I know not what juggler’s tricks. But what does he tell
us, pray? For I know that you have questioned him diligently about all
things. Is the emperor victorious? That is the way you should go about
it?





Scene 15: The same

Faustus deep in thought.

FAUSTUS
The time is at hand.

Enter Meph.

MEPH.
My Faustus, be not faint of heart. Thou dost indeed lose thy body, but
thy time of judgement is yet far distant. Why surely thou must die --
even shouldst thou live for many hundreds of years. After all, thou
knowest not yet what it be that awaiteth thee. Take courage, and despair
not so utterly.

Meph. exits. F.O.





Scene 16: An inn

Enter Wagner.

WAGNER
I think my master shortly means to die, for he hath given to me all his
goods; and yet, methinks, if that death were so near, he would not
banquet and carouse and swill amongst the students, as even now he doth,
who are at supper with such belly-cheer as Wagner never beheld in all
his life. See where they come! Belike the feast is ended.

Wagner sits amongst the audience; the Scholar, with two or three others, enters, joins him. Then Faustus enters; he faces the audience.

FAUSTUS
My dear, trusted, and very gracious lords: I have called you unto me for
this good and sufficient cause. For many years now, ye have known what
manner of man I be, the arts and the sorcery I have used. All these
things come from none other than my communion with spirits. I gave myself
up unto one such spirit and contracted with him for a term of twenty-four
years, setting my body and soul in jeopardy. Now are these twenty-four
years run out. I have only this night left An hourglass standeth before
mine eyes, and I watch for it to finish. I know that the Horned One will
have his due. As I have consigned my body and soul unto him with my blood
in return for certain other considerations, I have no doubt that he will
this night fetch me. This is why, dear and well-beloved, gracious lords,
I have summoned you here just before the end to take one last cup with me,
not concealing from you the manner of my departure. I entreat you now, my
dear Brothers, to bring my cordial and brotherly greetings to my friends
and to those who honour my memory, to bear no ill will toward me but, if
ever I have offended you, to forgive me in your hearts. As regardeth my
Historia and what I have wrought in those twenty-four years, all these
things have been written down for you. Finally, my last request is that
ye go to bed and let nothing trouble you, but sleep on and take your rest
even if a crashing and tumult be heard in this house. Be not afraid. No
injury shall befall you. Arise not out of your beds. Should ye find my
corpse, convey it unto the earth. Now I entreat you: betake yourselves to
bed. A good night to you -- unto me, an unknown, mysterious, and
frightful one.

SCHOLAR
(standing)
Alas dear Faustus, how have ye imperiled yourself I Why remained ye so
long silent, revealing none of these things to us? Why, we should have
brought learned Theologi who would have torn you out of the Devil’s nets
and saved you. But now it is too late and surely injurious to body and
soul.

FAUSTUS
Such was not permitted me. Often was I amind to seek counsel and succor
of godfearing men. Indeed, once Brother Klinge did charge me to follow
his teachings, leave my sorcery and be converted. Then came the spirit
and turned my head elsewise. I prithee, fare thee well.

He exits. F.O. Pause. A clock strikes twelve. Then a loud banging (or such) begins,
rising to deafening noise. Confused voices are heard, praying, swearing, questioning.
The noise subsides.

Lights up. Wagner and the Scholar look about for Faustus, finding only blood and visc
era. In the mirror is the image of Faustus, being pulled back by Helen. F.O.

toy theater Faust

Young Faust, as we shall call him, was born to farmers in a small German town towards the end of the 15th Century. In other words, if you had any imagination, like our young hero, you were bored shitless.
His only outlet was reading the Holy Bible, which was packed full of high adventure, and plenty of sex.
When he got a little older, and less inclined to pay attention, he was sent to live with a kinsman in Wittenberg.
When he was of age he entered the Univesity there, where he studied Theology. Later, after being unofficially kicked out for extracurricular activities - especially regarding the rumour that he had impregnated the gravedigger's daughter, who was now seen wandering around with her belly swelling - he hit the road.
He managed to acquire the post of schoolmaster after befriending the humanist knight Franz von Sickingen in Kreuznach. But he got into trouble again, this time for sodomy. Ironically, the one he was caught with was actually a young maid disguised as a boy to gain an education. But Faust fled to avoid arrest, as he was not certain if the authorities knew any of his other transgressions.
He wandered about for a time, telling tall tales in taverns for ale. In one such place, one Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, and dabbler in magic (he also came up with a system of cartography) tried to meet him, but Faust knew the abbot's reputation, via his encounters with soldier, spy, medic, and occult scholar Cornelius Agrippa, who had studied under Trithemius, so he skidaddled.
Faust then headed to Krakow, where he could study magic openly.
It was there that he met an odd character who preferred to be called Mephostophiles, a name he'd come up with in some Cabalistic formula. They both also met, and fell in love with, a local beauty, Margarithe von Nesse, but she was daughter of a nobleman and, worse yet, abused wife of a respected physician. So they pined away for her, and wrote bad poetry that only the other could stand.
The two brothers, as they came to think of themselves, then set off for Rome, but ended up in Venice instead.
There Faust became insnared in the clutches of a vampire, Margherita, with whom he made a diabolical pact. Mephostophiles left for Prague on a mission, where he died under mysterious circumstances.
Faust escaped one night, headed for Prague, where, using his newly acquired necromantic skill, he raised Mephostophiles from the dead. Meph. took to the habit of a monk, to disguise his corseness.
Unfortunately, the vampire Margherita came and snatched Faust, and took him to Munich, where she locked them both in a tower, along the city wall, which became known as "Faust's Tower", having him writing horoscopes.
However, at the same time, Faust's doppelganger went out on various adventures, including visiting the Pope in Rome, and the Sultan in Byzantium, conversing with the father of Modern Chemistry, Paracelsus, and the father of Modern Astronomy, Nicholas Copernicus; he also went to Gehenna, to see just how Hellish it really was, and up to the Himalayas, to better observe the stars.
Meanwhile, to keep Faust from fleeing, Margherita had him performing magic for courts, such as the Emporer Carolo V, and faires. While performing for the Prince and Princess of Anhalt, he had an affair with a chambermaid named Gretchen. This drove Margherita to distraction. She got him a lecturing gig at the University of Erfurt. A well-known monk, Dr. Konrad Klinge, was enticed to try to convert Faust from his wicked ways, which almost succeeded, but Margherita threatened to have her familiars rip him to shreds, so he made a second pact. Klinge made a report to the Erfurt council of Faust's unrepentent ways, having Faust expelled. Margherita went after Klinge, but he repelled her with his religous paraphernalia (she was kind of stupid).
During one of his performances for some students, Faust "conjured" up Helen of Sparta, played be a beauty from a travelling troupe of players, and he fell madly in love with her. More bad poetry ensued. He tried to figure out how to escape Margherita to be with "Helen", eventually getting Mephostophiles to enlist 3 students in "kidnapping" (wink, wink) him.
Unhappily, "Helen" had fallen in love with a new addition to their troupe, and they and the troupe moved on.
In his part heartbreak over the lost "Helen", and part elation over the losing of Margherita, he spent time with the students drinking and carousing at an inn, while he also regaled them with his various adventures (including those communicated to him by his doppelganger). He also had one of the students, Kristoff Wagner, write it all down in a biography, to be hidden until after Faust's death.
One of these nights, the weather seemed somehow ominous, and Faust melancholy. The students tried to cheer him, but he warned them that it was to be a terrible night ahead; that no matter what they heard, they should remain in their beds.
And sure enough, in the wee hours of that night, as the students lay huddled in their beds, they heard a terrible commotion, their friend Faust yelling in anger or terror, and a devilish female laughter.
In the morning, upon entering Faust's room, they found it torn asunder, blood spashed everywhere, but no sign of their friend, Faust.
They believed he'd been carried off to Hell.