A traditional figure in Greek tragedy, the Chorus delivers the Prologue, a monologue in the middle of the play, and an Epilogue that ends the play. Unlike traditional Greek choruses, though, this chorus is a single person. Removed from the action of the play, the chorus helps introduce and set the scene for the main plot, and concludes the play, confirming for the audience that Faustus was damned to hell.
Chorus Quotes in Doctor Faustus
The Doctor Faustus quotes below are all either spoken by Chorus or refer to Chorus. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Prologue
Quotes
...Till, swollen with cunning, of a self-conceit,
His waxen wings did mount above his reach,
And melting heavens conspired his overthrow.
For falling to a devilish exercise,
And glutted more with learning's golden gifts,
He surfeits upon cursed necromancy. (20-25)
Related Characters:
Chorus (speaker), Doctor Faustus
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Epilogue
Quotes
Regard his hellish fall,
Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise
Only to wonder at unlawful things:
Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits
To practice more than heavenly power permits. (4-8)
Related Characters:
Chorus (speaker), Doctor Faustus
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Doctor Faustus LitChart as a printable PDF.
Chorus Character Timeline in Doctor Faustus
The timeline below shows where the character Chorus appears in Doctor Faustus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Prologue
The Chorus enters and delivers the Prologue. He begins by assuring the audience that the play will...
(full context)
The Chorus summarizes Faustus's biography, including his humble origins, precociousness as a student, interest in necromancy, and...
(full context)
Chorus 3
The chorus enters and tells the audience that Faustus has returned home from his travels, amazing his...
(full context)
Epilogue
The chorus announces that Faustus is gone and tells the audience to see his downfall as an...
(full context)
