Doctor Faustus: Act III

Here, the word is used as an adjective; as a noun, it means "a room or building equipped with one or more toilets." Both definitions can apply here, although the Pope's private chamber would have a lot more than just a toilet. The 1616 Quarto describes it as part of a "goodly palace."

"Antic" is from the Latin "antiquus" which means "old, ancient." This comes from the 16th century discovery of ancient murals around Rome that depicted strange images. While the meanings of the two words have separated, both could apply to these lines from the 1616 Quarto. The solemnity of the holy feast comes from ancient customs, which Mephistophilis encourages Faustus to disrupt with inventive antics.

In these lines from the 1616 Quarto, the word is used as a verb to emphasize that Faustus is the evil mastermind telling Mephistophilis what to do. As a noun, "devise" means "a will disposing of real property" (from the Latin "dividere" which means "to separate, distribute"). This could allude to the deed for Faustus' soul.

This scene is from the enlarged 1616 Quarto. Not included in the 1604 Quarto, Bruno is a character that Faustus saves. This almost makes Faustus seem less sinful--except that one of his motives is to mess with the Pope. Another motive is his allegiance to the German Emperor. Thus, in siding with the Emperor's choice for a pope, Faustus is further distancing himself from holiness.

In this scene from the 1616 Quarto, the Pope is portrayed as a gloating conqueror rather than a humble servant of God. Bruno emphasizes this when he calls him "Proud Lucifer." This development of the Pope's character makes him seem less like the innocent victim in the 1604 Quarto.

The phrase "smite to death" comes from the Bible. The Pope deliberately makes that connection when he prefaces these lines from the 1616 Quarto with this comparison: "as the gods creep on with feet of wool long ere with iron hands they punish men."

The Old French "parler" simply means "to speak." This is how the Pope would view the meeting with Faustus and Mephistophilis, because they would be disguised as his cardinals. Yet, in choosing not to reveal his enemy status to the Pope, Faustus is not engaging in parley. This dishonesty amuses him and gives him the upper hand in the discussion.

"Lofty" is defined as "of imposing height," "displaying great dignity or nobility" or "of high moral or intellectual value." But here, the adjective is used as a synonym for "haughty." These lines from the 1616 Quarto could describe Faustus or Lucifer. But the speaker is the Pope, and he is describing the Emperor. In threatening to pull down the Emperor's insolence, the Pope is casting himself in the same role as God; thus, the description could also apply to him.

In Revelation, seven seals secure the scroll that contains information known only to God and that can only be broken by someone worthy. In these lines from the 1616 Quarto, the Pope points to his own seven seals and keys. Although proudly pronounced (in a city that "stands upon seven hills"), the repetition and listing of powers do not sound righteously almighty; rather, Marlowe condemns ("express strong disapproval of" or "demonstrate the guilt of") the Pope in putting these words in his mouth.

This line is from the 1616 Quarto. Compare to the example sentence for "merriment" in this list. Both words come from related Old English roots that mean "agreeable, sweet" and "joy, pleasure." However, Faustus gets his merriment and mirth by causing the follies ("foolish or senseless behavior" or "stupid mistake") of others.

As a noun, the word means "the state of being excommunicated." That is one possible punishment. But in this scene from the 1616 Quarto, Mephistophilis does not know how the cardinals will criticize or sentence Bruno. What he knows is that he and Faustus, disguised as cardinals, had already condemned Bruno to prison in order to get him released into their custody. Now the real cardinals will have a hard time explaining why Bruno is missing.