Dr Faustus is the epitome of Renaissance aspiration, striving after knowledge that marked the age in which Marlowe wrote. Faustus envisages a world of power and delight "which stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man' and turns longing eyes on the magic books that will make him 'a mighty god'- and ultimately damn him forever. Dr Faustus is a highly popular text, frequently studied and performed. This student edition uses the A text, widely excepted as the most authentic published edition. Fully revised by leading Renaissance scholar, Ros King, it contains a completely new Introduction containing the latest criticism and stage history and revised commentary and notes. New Mermaids editions offer:* Modernized versions of the play text edited to the highest textual standards* Fully annotated student editions with obscure words explained on each page* Critical, contextual and staging insight

Author Biography

Ros King is Professor of English at the University of Southampton, and Director of the Centre of Medieval and Renaissance Culture. She is author of several books including The Winter's Tale, for Palgrave's Shakespeare Handbook Series and editor of Comedy of Errors for Cambridge's New Shakespeare Series.