『파우스투스 박사』: A텍스트와 B텍스트 사이

Abstract

The two different texts of Doctor Faustus, which are called A and B, have raised many debates and presumptions on Marlowe’s original text. The purpose of this study is to identify the meaning of the difference between A and B by comparing the concrete lines and parts of the two texts. The main difference comes out in two aspects: the dramatic effects to attract the audience’s interest and the religious view of salvation and damnation. B text has more characters and more lines for theatrical effects, which results in more unified structure of the play. Furthermore, B text emphasizes the matter of Faustus’ choice and moral lesson more than A text, in that B text portrays Faustus’ damnation as the result of his choice rather than the determinism of A text. B text more reflects the political condition of the contemporary English society. Then, which one is Marlowe’s original play? It is not easy to make any decision about the originality. As some critics insist, neither A nor B is Marlowe’s original play. Before A and B texts, there was another published text, which we cannot find any copy. It is more probable that both A and B underwent revision and change. A and B texts represent the contradictory views of salvation in the contemporary England. We don’t know which religious doctrine Marlowe preferred between the determinism and the free will. It also has the possibility that Marlowe portrayed a man who challenges the bible and the church without any consciousness of religious doctrines. The popularity Doctor Faustus enjoyed must have led the play into the way to reflect the various desires of the Elizabethan England. The political and religious confusion among the Catholic, the Puritan, and the Anglican must have required the various and complex theatrical works.