The audio is an attempt to comment on J.M Synge drama, Named “The Play of the Western World”

 

The playboy of the western world is a sheer extravagant comedy as Christy character develops within twenty four hours and amateur Christy absorb consciousness to which he lacks from his childhood.  Taking another way it seems a satirical comedy because western Ireland people giving shelter to a murderer who just killed his father.  As the listeners like Micheal , Philly & Peegen accomplish murderer story with heroic strength and approved by all the people of Shebeen , complimented for his bravery. In the process all women offers him gifts and Micheal employed him as pot-boy on the suggestion of Pegeen by this encouragement Christy was greatly influenced, generate self confidence. And it will not be certain to Christy to think and comment himself to be idiot for not having killed his father long before.

 

 

In this play father murder is treated in strange and disturbing way, on second occasion when Christy strikes a blow on his father was consider horrible and people find him dangerous. The second blow by Christy was not to defend himself but to defend his heroic image among the people of Mayo. So the people were motivated for self preservation.

 

Consider First Murder

 

The first murder was an accident, Christy run from the site to escape from legal involvement. He strikes for his self defense. The reason of blowing spade is revealed in Mayo Sheebeen when village girls come to see Christy, it can be assumed Christy spoken lie to the village girls as he want some extra ordinary reason; so he suggested that his father want him to marry old rich widow who fed him milk, or in other words he doesn’t want to damage his new born image and pride.

 

Second murder

 

When Christy and his father meet in Act 3 of the play, the old man started beating and scolding Christy even the Mayo people who considered him for his bravery ridiculed him and his grand image shattered so Christy draws out his courage and blow the spade again on old man head. The second murder is a deliberate reaction on the part of Christy. So the heroic image was rejected by people and they decided to hang Christy on self-preservation ground.

 

In the process Christy realize he doesn’t need fool people of Mayo as Manhood cannot be achieved on false assumption. So the stupid son of Mahon get matured, self confident not by physical power; but by asserting his own power to dominate. 

Look back in Anger, was published in 1956, Osborne was of 26 at the time of submission of this play at Newly open English Stage Company and this play made his esteemed as dramatist and establish him as “Angry Young Man”.

 

Jimmy Porter is character of dissatisfaction

 

Jimmy psychological complexity is strongly dissatisfied with life in general, leading a routine life with no variety even the Sunday Newspaper having the sameness. Jimmy representing the post-war generation; who founds nothing right with contemporary world. Osborne created Jimmy as an example of the “angry young man”— He wants Alison and Cliff to show some great interest in daily environment.

 

 

Example

 

Jimmy is not satisfied with the reviews of Sunday newspaper and feels ignorant. Here what actually Jimmy wants in response, a conscious environment, one who can comments on the daily routines of society and make some awareness. But what Jimmy receives only negative aspects so he rages on Cliff Lewis and his wife Alison; as they don’t want to overhead, what is going in the society?

 

The reading “book review” on the “statement of Bishop” and woman meeting to “American Evangelist”, is an attempt by Jimmy to get some comments by his wife. It is always assumed that Woman can understand the other woman pain and it is fact, but Alison response is Zero neither he received any comment from Cliff. Here if Jimmy Frustrates not because of there muteness but because of there social unconsciousness. 

It will be appropriate “If Jimmy say Cliff and Alison having an attitude of passivity”.

 

 Jimmy Says “Nobody thinks, nobody cares, No beliefs, con convictions and no Enthusiasm. Just another Sunday Evening” by one can conclude passivity of Alison and Cliff is not for the first time, it usually happens whenever they gather and because they gather on Sunday, it usually happen so.

 

If Jimmy condemned and give sarcastic comments for Alison family because he thinks, they too; are same as Cliff and Alison.  Jimmy makes comments on Alison Family and friends because in his opinion, they provide dull remarks which cannot be ignored by Jimmy. According to Jimmy; Alison Father always thinks about his bright days in India.

 

Jimmy also highlighted the Quality of cabinet minister in the form of Nigel (Alison brother), because they provide dull remarks as Nigel do so.  

 

Although Jimmy criticizes, Alison thought out the play but some love is being showered with use of “Bear and Squirrels” Game.  The toys acts as the symbolic devices; “Bear” representing “Jimmy” and Squirrel represent “Alison” providing shelter from the unpleasant realities and adjusting them in melodious relationship. This game is the courageous effort in order to compensate themselves for the failure of their marriage, this is because Jimmy and Alison married against the wishes of there parents. Side by side we are all aware animals have natural affections towards each other rather than the intellectual inconsistency nor they have any class distinction, as we see thought out the drama, Jimmy criticize class distinction direct / indirect ways. So the game act as the symbolic device to forget there social hard realities and distinction.

The scene begins with the speech of chorus. Faustus returns from the long journey. His friends receive him with warm regards. Faustus shares his experience and moments with them.

 

Act 4 Scene 1

 

Mr. Robin who is an Ostler (stableman) by profession has stolen one of the Faustus’s magic books for an idea to spell some magic words; at the same time his assistant Ralph has called him for a customer in stable.

 

He draws a circle and warns Ralph to keep away from it. Ralph feels happy when Robin claims him to provide quantity of spiced wine.

Act 4 Scene 2

 

Robin and Ralph stole a wine cup from bar. The barman tracks them and demanded to return the cup. The barman searches both of them feel hopeless because of Robin Magic. Then Robin decided to punish barman for his presumption. He spells some magic words and called summons (authoritative call to attend or do something) Mephistopheles, all of them get scared by his appearance. Robin returns the cup to the barman. Ralph asks Mephistopheles for forgiveness and bothered him, but devil transform them in dog and ape.

 

Act 4 Scene 3

 

The scene starts from the emperor palace at Innsbruck. King desires to see the Faustus magic. Faustus proofs his skills by showing the soul of Alexander and his mistress. One of the emperor knights make laugh and put some jeering remarks about the Faustus this makes Faustus annoyed and he make a promise to deal with knight later.

 

Faustus command Mephistopheles to bring the soul of Alexander and his mistress. The king feels surprised to see them. The Faustus do some magic and make the pair of horns on knight head for his insolence. When knight seem the pairs of horns on his head he started abusing and asked Faustus to remove the horns. Faustus answered him you are suitably paid for your audacity. However Faustus removes the horns on the behalf of the king but he warns the king’s knight (attendant) not to do so in future. King awarded Faustus according to his promise.

Act 4 Scene 4

 

Faustus prepares him to return Wittenberg at the same time a horse dealer arrives to buy the horse of Faustus. Faustus warns him not to take horse near water in any condition. Horse dealer leave Faustus for happy living with the horse but he haven’t follow the precautions and rode horse into water. Horse disappeared in water however he manages to come out of the water and wants to recover money from Faustus. He visit Faustus palace, here devil informed him not to disturb Faustus in the Sleep.  

 

Horse dealer was in hurry to recover money from Faustus. So he shouts in the ears of Faustus and pulls his leg. As a result leg comes out in his hand. Faustus cries for loosing his leg and ask Mephistopheles to call police. Horse dealer feels scared and paid 40 dollars as a compensation for pulling out the Faustus leg. Horse dealer feel relief from the tight corner and flight instantly.

At the same time Faustus receive the message to display the magic at Duke Court.

 

Act 4 Scene 5

 

After receiving the message Faustus leave for Duke Court. Duke longingly waits for the magic display of Faustus. Their Faustus offers to obtain any fruit for which the duchess Vanholt has a desire.  Duchess asks Faustus to bring ripe grapes which are available in only summer season so Faustus commands Mephistopheles to bring the grapes, with in a moment he brought a bunch of grapes from the countries of the east. Duke expresses his surprise at the wonder and offers Faustus a kind reward.

Summary of the play

Act 2 Scene 1

Faustus is alone in the study and feeling mentally hopeless because of his inner consciousness troubles him.  He thinks about the god and decides to turn on the god again by making the church to the devil. He would offer lukewarm blood of new born babes.  Due to his mental conflict Good and Bad Angle appears again

 Suggestion of Good Angle

• Good angle suggest him to fall flat to the god.

 Suggestion of Bad Angle

• Bad angle suggest him to get wealth and honor of fascination as he desire the lordship of rich city of Emden.

 Faustus reacts on Bad Angle suggestion and thinks God will not harm him as long as devil is with him.

 

Signing of Bond with Lucifer

 

In Act 1 Scene 3 Mephistopheles exit for sanction of resolution offer by Faustus to Lucifer.

Lucifer agrees to buy his soul on the some condition by signing the bond with his blood.  While signing the bond his blood congeals (make or become semi-solid by cooling) but devil brings burning coal and dissolve his blood to complete his bond. There after he donate his soul to the Lucifer. While signing a bond Faustus also get inscription “Man run away” Faustus gets puzzled but he didn’t run.

 

 Presentation by Devil to Faustus

 

• Devil called others devil to entertain Faustus. The provide rich garments to the Faustus..
• They tell him, he had acquired the power of summons.
• Faustus Longs for the woman. Devil provides another devil in the form of mistress.
• They provide him a magic book with its help he could get great controls on human beings as well as elements. The book will also help him to acquire other great knowledge

Question by Faustus

• Faustus ask devil about the location of hell

 Reply

Devil reply hell is not a region. Hell is a condition in which one feels tortured.

Act 2 Scene 2

 

A Few years onwards Faustus again gets in mental conflict. He thinks of heaven as he feels deep sorrow about contracting with Lucifer. So he blames Mephistopheles for setting off the path of evil. He wants to apologize for his breaking of divine or moral law and have a strong wish or desire for decline further association with Lucifer. The two angles appear again and leave Faustus depart. Faustus heart feels impossible to step back. He hears fearful voice “as he already damned because he contract with Lucifer”.

 

He wants to suicide but he can not kill him self because of his joyous life discourage his mental conflict. 

 

Question of Faustus to Mephistopheles

 

Faustus Question

 

• Faustus asks about number of heaven and whether they are constitute in one globe?

 

Mephistopheles answer

 

• All the spheres are “mutually folded in each other Orb”. They travel jointly in one axis tree whose limit is known as Zodiac (belt of the heavens including all apparent positions of the sun, moon, and planets as known to ancient astronomers, and divided into twelve equal parts).

 

Faustus ask question about the agency that made the world. Mephistopheles refuses and warned Faustus not to ask questions that are against the kingdom of the hell. He also suggested him to think solely for the hell as he is already damned by contracting.

 

Faustus get annoyed with the answer of Mephistopheles and nick name him as “accused Spirit”

 

Angles suggestions for Faustus.

 

• After dissatisfactory answer of Mephistopheles, Good Angle whispers in Faustus ear and say god had made the world. It cause confusion in his heart but it is too late for step back normal. Good angle also suggest him there is not too late you can repentance.

 

• On this suggestion bad angle warns Faustus devil will tear him in two pieces

Faustus get mental distress after the suggestion of both angle he wants to free his soul, so call upon the Christ (also now treated as a name, given to Jesus) to save his soul but at the same time he confronted with Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub.  They warn him not to think of God. Faustus gets scared and assured that he will never think of god and heaven again

 

Lucifer provides him magic book by which he can turn in any shape.

 

My View

 

Dr Faustus feeling afraid of death, he thinks of god and heaven. Although he was being suggest in each Act of play.  

·        Act 1 (Scene 1) he ignores the Good Angle suggest him to study the Holy Scriptures.

·        Act 1 Scene 3 Mephistopheles suggest him information before commitment

·        Act 2 Scene 1 good angle suggest him to fall flat to god.

·        Act 2 Scene 1 he also got inscription “Man run away” but he didn’t run.

 

He is interpreted in every act by good suggestion but he ignores them.  After signing the bond he had become the puppet of Lucifer. Now he feels afraid of being damned. His blind faith confronted him to Lucifer and there he pleased not to think of god or heaven.

 

 

 

Summary of the Drama

 

Act 1

Act 1 (Scene 1)

 

Dr Faustus belongs to low family and brought by his relatives in Wittenberg. He was theologian and attempts to over reach himself in the field of divinity.  He studied Necromancy (divination by supposed communication with the dead) and wonder about in his specialization.

 

The main comment about the Dr Faustus is “he was widely known as physician but he disapproves the sound knowledge of Medicines.”  Means he thinks beyond to the known studies. He can make spirits to bring the choicest item from any part of the world. He wants to be a great magician like Agrippa.

 

Angle Suggestions

• Good angle suggest him to study the scriptures (the bible or study dedicated to God)
• Bad angle suggest him to study the magic and become powerful like God on this earth.

 

Friends Suggestions

 Valdes and Cornelius

 

Faustus Reveal about the achievements of ravishing the study of magic to his friends. His friend suggest him following

 

• Valdes appreciates his decision and encourage him by saying “all element spirits will serve him”
• Cornelius suggests him to get more fame by his enviable magic study than the Delphic oracle (prediction) by virtue.

 

Here the Bad Angle and friends suggests him to study the magic and become powerful rather than to study the scripture of God. Dr Faustus ignored the Good Angle suggestion.

 

Act 1 Scene 2

 Two well wisher or Fellows of Dr Faustus were worried about him because they haven’t meet Dr Faustus for some time. They try to contact Dr Faustus and ask his servant Wagner but his servant puzzle them. Later they got the guess of Valdes and Cornelius interest in Dr Faustus black art magic. They decide to inform the president of University so that Dr Faustus can be taken out from such kind of Practice.

 

Characteristics of Wagner

 

• He is fun loving person.

 

Act 1 Scene 3

 On Suggestion of Valdes, Faustus decides to conjure in the Dark Grove. He draws a circle planet, stars and writes the name of Jehovah (a holy Saint). He determines himself and ready to conjure and led Mephistopheles (evil spirit to whom Faust sold his soul in) to appear ugly. So he orders him to go back and dress in Franciscan Friar. Mephistopheles executes his command. Faustus feels happy for his achievement and obedience of Mephistopheles. He terms himself a “Conjure Laureate (mark of honor)”. He wants to extract promise from Devil to give service thought out the life. Devil (Mephistopheles) informs him to get the commitment from the Lucifer (all devils king, Chief ruler of all the devil of all the spirits) before promise.

Information by Mephistopheles before any commitment

• He informs Faustus his speeches were incidental (secondary) which let him to arrive here.
• He tells Faustus that the person who broke “Holy Trinity” (the three persons of the Christian Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)) is rushed by Lucifer Agent immediately.
• Lucifer was beloved angel of God and because he revolt against the god he was damned and doomed ever in the hell.

 

Before serving the Faustus, Devil have to ask Lucifer to accept the Faustus Proposal and exits for sanction.

 

My View

Dr Faustus is only a “Blind” (unwilling or unable to appreciate a factor) person in black art. Even he can’t conjure successfully.

As you heard the words “Man’s proud makes him blind” same you can find here. In Act 1 (Scene 1)good angel suggest him to study the scriptures but he refuse and conjure in dark grove on Friends Suggestions. He does so and incidentally he succeeds in doing so. Then Devil also guide him by providing example of Lucifer and his Revolt against God. But Faustus feels amazed and he ask devil to learn “Manly Fortitude” (Strength)

He tells Devil he is not afraid of damnation (eternal punishment in hell) and started prediction of good fortune with the help to Devil and wants to become the great emperor of the world.

 

Act 1 Scene 4  

Wagner feels sincerity and sympathy (a sharing of another's feelings.) for the clown (comic entertainer). He wants to employ clown to serve him because he was semi-naked and Semi-starved. Clown shows him unwillingness to serve him. He tries to frighten the clown. He orders the two magic words which were picked from the Faustus magic book and therefore clown accept the Wagner’s employment to follow and serve him.

 

Characteristics of Wagner

 

He is a clever person and knows how to undertake others; in Act 1 Scene 2 Wagner is shown as fun loving person and he befools Faustus students