Faustus

5 9.3

A man who sells his soul to the devil to gain knowledge and power

proper noun
/ˈfɔːstəs/

Literature

: Fausto

In Christopher Marlowe's play, the character Faustus makes a pact with the devil for knowledge.
Doctor Faustus
Dr. Faustus
Doktor Faustus

And you know what is What is Faustus doing?

Examples

In Doctor Faustus, the question of friendship is added to the Faustian legend.

Academic text (2000)
In Faustus, blood writing is made macabre and leads to damnation.

Academic text (2012)
You are playing my Dr. Faustus this afternoon.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Yet, Faustus, look up to Heaven.

Cradle Will Rock (1999)
Yet, Faustus, look up to Heaven!

Cradle Will Rock (1999)
Now, worthy Faustus, me thinks your looks are changed.

Cradle Will Rock (1999)
Ah, he played in Doctor Faustus at the Harvard Rep.

Marlowe (2023)
Should I astound the girl next door with my velvet suit and my Faustus hood?

Reality Bites (1994)
- What ails Faustus?

Cradle Will Rock (1999)
"Nay, let's see Faustus."

Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

Faust

vsFaustus

Literature

6 9.8

A legendary German man who makes a deal with the devil for knowledge and power and appears in many stories

is the form used especially in works by Marlowe and Goethe

Surface Forms

Faustus main

Etymology

The name Faustus comes from the Latin word faustus, which means 'fortunate' or 'lucky', like the English word 'fortunate'. Ironically, the famous Faustus sells his soul for knowledge and power, so the name now reminds us of the danger of chasing too much 'fortune' or success.