Literary Context

• Dr Faustus is a tragedy
• Dr Faustus is not the typical hero in a tragedy, he is actually a commoner, which shows nobody is immune to tragedy
• Dr Faustus has elements of 'Commedia del Arte' through the characters of Robin & Rafe which often satirise Faustus
• Dr Faustus is often seen as an example of a didactic, allegorical morality play helping to warn people not to succumb to earthly pleasures
• Dr Faustus is often seen as Carnivalesque, a style of Literature characterized by elements of subversion of societal norms
• Dr Faustus exhibits Carnivalesque qualities as the Protagonists subverts moral & religious authority through his pact with the Devil, reflecting carnivalesque themes of rebellion and defiance
• Dr Faustus exhibits Carnivalesque Qualities through the protagonist's transgression of boundaries, subverting societal & moral boundaries, whilst also disregarding conventional morality, a typical carnivalesque quality by subverting from the status quo