So, I've been pondering the question that Mr. Francis asked us to look into last week and I think the answer lies completly in the context of the production.
Historically, when Faustus was put on in Elizabethan times and the years following Faustus would undoubtedly scare the audience. I can only really think of one scene which might now be described as truly frightening (the last one) but the very concepts involved in Faustus, Lucifer and Hell would be all so real to an Elizabethan audience. No longer do the majority of the population believe that Faustus' fate is one that they too could endure, but back then most people believed that going to hell a place, "where we are tortured and remain forever" a possibility. This prevelant Christian belief would have brought a terrorfiying realism to Faustus and I think that this would have caused people to have shivers down their spine. Because of the levels of belief held in the 1600s I would imagine that the play would be performed in a much darker manner. In the sceptical 21st century the concepts that forge the making of this play are not regarded with such seriousness, yet I am positive that an Elizabethan production of the play would have to present the seriousness of Faustus' actions completely- after all Faustus is as much of a warning as it is any other type of play. The humour that is written into the play acts as a light relief to the otherwise scary nature of the play, but it must be noted that Marlowe never makes light of what Faustus has done.
Nowadays, however, I think Faustus is more of a comic play. No longer does a 'life and death' realism have a grip of the play and the audience that view it. This allows more humour to creep in, which in turn grants a kind of 'comic license' to the actors who perform the various roles. The rise in the playing on humour in Faustus such as the scene where "[The Pope] cross[es himself] and Faustus hits him with a box of the ear." has to take a greater precedence in the play because the fear that once played a large part in the production is lesser. Why is it lesser? Well, not only because of the increasing levels of agnosticism and aetheism but also because people's expectations about what is scary have moved on too. Horror movies are what 21st century people watch when they want to be scared not Elizabethan plays. Unfortunately, Faustus can't quite keep a modern audience on the edge of their seat through horror alone and so it has somewhat morphed... into a comedy.
On a lighter note, just got a kindle- it is awesome :D
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