Doctor Faustus

play by Christopher Marlowe

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
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