Desire in "Hamlet" and "Doctor Faustus": Preparing the Explorative Study

Creative Critical Response

Please hand in your revised draft today for checking.

"Doctor Faustus" Act 1 Scene 3

After reading this scene in which Faustus and Mephistopheles discuss how they are going to spend their time, make notes together on these questions:

1. What do we learn from the Chorus about Faustus' movements since he signed the Contract?
2. What does Faustus tell us he has been doing in his opening speech?
3. What motivates Faustus to go to visit Rome?
4. How is the Pope presented in this scene?
5. What does Bruno do in this scene? Why is he introduced?

Explorative Study

Compare Shakespeare and Marlowe’s treatment of human desire in "Hamlet" and "Doctor Faustus". This should include reference to performance criticism and critical interpretation as well as the significance and influence of the contexts in which the plays were written.

Approximate word count: 1800

Go to here to Edexcel to see the four Assessment Objectives for the Explorative Study again. This links to the Specification - go to pages 24-25 to see the Objectives for your coursework.

1. Brainstorm ideas about how Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" approaches the theme of human desire focusing on the key scenes we have studied.
2. What links can you think of between "Hamlet" and "Doctor Faustus" that are relevant to this theme?

Make notes about this together and be prepared to present your ideas to the group.

Homework

1. Go to Sparknotes and make notes on themes in "Doctor Faustus"
2. Make a mind map of the explorative study question using examples from both "Hamlet" and "Doctor Faustus" and bring to class next Friday 20th March 2009.