Question

Which parts of this excerpt from Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus bring out the theme of forbidden knowledge?


CHORUS: [ Cut is the branch ] [ that might have grown full straight, ]
And burned is [ Apollo's laurel bough, ]
[ That sometime grew within this learned man. ]
Faustus is gone; [ regard his hellish fall, ]
Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise
[ Only to wonder at unlawful things, ]
Whose deepness doth entice such
[ forward wits To practise more than heavenly power permits ]

Answer 1

[ Only to wonder at unlawful things, ]
[ forward wits To practise more than heavenly power permits ]
He wanted to learn more than was allowed.

Answer 2

Answer:

- [Only to wonder at unlawful things

- [Entice such Forward wits To practise more than heavenly power permits].

Explanation:

'Doctor Faustus' by Christopher Marlowe primarily intends to reveal the central theme of forbidden knowledge and tragic consequences of the excessive ambition to achieve this knowledge.

In the given excerpt, above mentioned parts display the central theme of forbidden knowledge. 'Only to wonder at unlawful things' implies Faustus' intense desire to acquire that knowledge of 'necromancy'(which was forbidden) in order to attain that power. 'Entice such....permits' disclose that he was willing to practice(magic which is forbidden) beyond what is lawful or permitted by divine authorities and for which he even lends his soul to Lucifer.