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Gothic Elements In Doctor Faustus And The Devil's Crucible

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Both Christopher Marlow’s play, Doctor Faustus and The Devil’s Advocate film adhere to supernatural events, and the idea of breaking through boundaries of Gothic elements. This essay will prove how both these elements contribute to the abjection of the characters, Dr Faustus and Kevin Lomax The supernatural is a gothic element that is presented throughout both the Play and the film. In Doctor Faustus, necromancy is Faustus’s desire and passion. “And necromantic books are heavenly. Lines, schemes, letters and characters! Ay these are those that Faustus most desires” (Act 1, scene1: line50). This proves the abjection within the character, as it is immoral to compare evil books to heaven. The protagonist makes a pact with the devil and gets to perform magic. The play is full of scenes where magic is being practiced. For example, Faustus produces fruits out of the season (grapes). The descriptive lighting, darkness, and the presence of the devils in the scenes are the well known symbols of the Gothic. …show more content…

The use of dark colours, lighting of burning fires from the bottom and high camera angles, which indicate the presence of the devil and his servants. Lomax can read people’s minds and his excessive power over every court case presents the abjection of which contributes to the supernatural events in the film. He can easily manipulate situations by receiving the powers from his master, Milton who happens to be his father. The pictures of bloody dead bodies and the fact that his master never sleeps and speaks all the languages, always travelling in the subway and mid-night events, all adhere the characteristics of the Gothic and its

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