The Complexities Of Mephostophilis Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

The Complexities Of Mephostophilis Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers The Complexities of Mephostophilis In Medieval cycle plays, devils were portrayed as comic characters that triumphed over their adversaries in spite of their crudeness and ineptitude. With the advent of Renaissance drama, came new ideas and characters, as playwrights took a new stance in their portrayals of evil and devils. The devils and Mephostophilis in particular, in Christopher Marlowe's play Dr. Faustus are much more complex than those in preceding medieval drama are. Mephostophilis's only goal in the play is to acquire Faustus's damned soul for Lucifer. As straightforward a goal as this might appear, its execution becomes fascinating for the audience because of Marlowe's characterization. Mephostophilis is both friend and archenemy of Faustus. He is the teller of truths and the manipulator of lies; he is a reflection of Faustus's own character and an instrument of Lucifer's diabolical quest. Mephostophilis's diversity of characteristics makes him a most interesting Renaissance character because h! e is not flat, all good or all bad, but rather a multifaceted character, which wins over Faustus and draws the audience in with his intrigue. The play opens in Faustus's study, where Faustus is contemplating his many scholastic accomplishments. Having succeeded in his studies in both the academic and theological fields, Faustus has become bored and wishes to pursue further knowledge in necromancy. He conjures up the image of a devil and so begins the relationship between Dr. Faustus and Mephostophilis. Dissatisfied with Mephostophilis's demonic appearance, Faustus commands him, "I charge thee to return and change thy shape, /Thou art too ugly to attend on me"(I.iii.25-6). Faustus is uncomfortable with the devil's original appearance; he foolishly believes that, "by fiddling with surface matters,"(ix) the basic morality of the character can be changed. "Go and return an old Franciscan friar,"(I.iii. 27) says Faustus; this form not only makes Faustus more comfortable with the devil, but a Renaissance audience would have found this transformation more attractive and palatable as well. Without a word, Mephostophi! lis leaves to obey Faustus, and Faustus takes this as a sign of the devil's submissiveness. Faustus is falsely convinced that he is in control of the situation and that Mephostophilis has appeared only to fulfill his whims and to serve as his servant. He muses to himself, "How pliant is this Mephostophilis, /Full of obedience and humility, /Such is the force of magic and my spells"(I.iii.31-3). When Mephostophilis enters as a friar, Faustus is seeing what he wishes to see. The character of Mephostophilis remains as amoral as ever, but in the guise of a harmless friar, he appears more amiable. Our initial glimpse of Mephostophilis shows the audience and Faustus his true, horrifying nature. Along with this horrifying appearance early in the play, we see his only purpose is the capture of Faustus's soul. Despite Mephostophilis's transformed outward appearance, his purpose remains as malevolent as ever. As Mephostophilis quickly gains Faustus's confidence, the audience is able to peer further into his character. Virtually elated with his magical success, Faustus is oblivious to the ominous reason Mephostophilis gives for appearing. Contrary to what Faustus believes, the incantations he performed did not conjure up a devil; Mephostophilis explains, "when we hear one rack the name of God, /Abjure the Scriptures and his saviour Christ, /We fly in hope to get his glorious soul"(I.iii.46-8). Faustus scoffs at Mephostophilis and explains that he is not afraid of the ideas of hell and damnation, for he does not believe that they exist. The notion of hell is not so meaningless to Mephostophilis, who knows the torment of hell only too well. "Think'st thou that I who saw the face of God /And tasted the eternal joys of heaven /Am not tormented with ten thousand hells /In being depr! ived of everlasting bliss?"(I.iii.76-9) he demands of Faustus. Though he desperately seeks Faustus's soul, Mephostophilis cannot hold himself back from expressing the absolute truth of hell and its agonies. Faustus has already convinced himself that he wants what Mephostophilis can offer him and he refuses to listen to this important and solitary warning. He sends him off to tell Lucifer of his proposition to give his soul in exchange for twenty-four years of power and Mephostophilis's services. As Faustus sits waiting

Timeline of Canadas 1970 October Crisis

Timeline of Canadas 1970 October Crisis In October 1970, two cells of the Front de Libà ©ration du Quà ©bec (FLQ), a revolutionary organization promoting an independent and socialist Quebec, kidnapped British Trade Commissioner James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte. Armed forces were sent into Quebec to help the police and the federal government invoked the War Measures Act, temporarily suspending civil liberties. Key Events of the October Crisis of  1970 Here is a timeline of the key events during the October Crisis. October 5, 1970British Trade Commissioner James Cross was kidnapped in Montreal, Quebec. Ransom demands from the Liberation cell of the FLQ included the release of 23 political prisoners, $500,000 in gold, broadcast, and publication of the FLQ Manifesto, and an aircraft to take the kidnappers to Cuba or Algeria. October 6, 1970Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa agreed that decisions on the FLQ demands would be made jointly by the federal government and the Quebec provincial government. The FLQ Manifesto, or excerpts of it, was published by several newspapers. Radio station CKAC received threats that James Cross would be killed if FLQ demands were not met. October 7, 1970Quebec Justice Minister Jerome Choquette said he was available for negotiations. The FLQ Manifesto was read on CKAC radio. October 8, 1970The FLQ Manifesto was read on the CBC French network Radio-Canada. October 10, 1970The Chenier cell of the FLQ kidnapped Quebec Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte. October 11, 1970Premier Bourassa received a letter from Pierre Laporte pleading for his life. October 12, 1970The Army was sent in to guard Ottawa. October 15, 1970The Quebec government invited the Army into Quebec to help local police. October 16, 1970Prime Minister Trudeau announced the proclamation of the War Measures Act, emergency legislation dating from World War I. October 17, 1970The body of Pierre Laporte was found in the trunk of a car at the airport in St.-Hubert, Quebec. November 2, 1970The Canadian federal government and the Quebec provincial government together offered a reward of $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers. November 6, 1970Police raided the hideout of the Chenier cell and arrested Bernard Lortie. Other cell members escaped. November 9, 1970The Quebec Justice Minister asked for the Army to stay in Quebec for another 30 days. December 3, 1970James Cross was released after police discovered where he was being held and the FLQ were given assurance of their safe passage to Cuba. Cross had lost weight but said he was not physically mistreated. December 4, 1970Federal Justice Minister John Turner said the exiles to Cuba would be for life. Five FLQ members received passage to Cuba - Jacques Cossette-Trudel, Louise Cossette-Trudel, Jacques Lanctà ´t, Marc Carbonneau and Yves Langlois. They later moved to France. Eventually, all returned to Canada and served short jail terms for kidnapping. December 24, 1970Troops were withdrawn from Quebec. December 28, 1970Paul Rose, Jacques Rose, and Francis Simard, the remaining three members of the Chenier cell, were arrested. With Bernard Lortie, they were charged with kidnapping and murder. Paul Rose and Francis Simard later received life sentences for murder. Bernard Lortie was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping. Jacques Rose was initially acquitted but later convicted of being an accessory and sentenced to eight years in prison. February 3, 1971A report from Justice Minister John Turner on the use of the War Measures Act said 497 people were arrested. Of these, 435 were released, 62 were charged, 32 without bail. July 1980A sixth person, Nigel Barry Hamer, was charged in the kidnapping of James Cross. He was later convicted and sentenced to 12 months in jail.