Doctor Faustus Faustus Quotes

Faustus > Faustus

Quote 19

LECHERY
I am one that loves an inch of raw mutton better than an ell of fried stock-fish, and the first letter of my name begins with lechery. (2.3.156-158)

Lechery, or lust, tells a dirty joke here. The "inch of raw mutton" likely refers to an erect penis, whereas "fried stockfish" (a textual error for "dried stockfish") is a slang expression that refers to sexual impotence. You get the idea…

Faustus > Faustus

Quote 20

FAUSTUS
These metaphysics of magicians
And necromantic books are heavenly.
Lines, circles, letters, and characters –
Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires. (1.1.48-51)

Describing "necromantic books" as "heavenly" is more than a little ironic considering the fact that these books will actually cause Faustus to turn away from heaven, and toward hell. Oh Faustus, don't you hear yourself?

Faustus > Scholars

Quote 21

FAUSTUS
Valdes, sweet Valdes, and Cornelius,
Know that your words have won me at the last
To practice magic and concealèd arts.
Philosophy is odious and obscure;
Both law and physic are for petty wits.
'Tis magic, magic that hath ravished me. (1.1.98-103)

We're just gonna address the elephant in the room: Faustus's creepy obsession with magic is almost erotic. He says that magic has "ravished" him, as though he were a maiden being taken by a powerful man. How could philosophy, law, or medicine hope to compete with an attraction like that?