Question

Which two 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

The two parts of this excerpt from Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus that refer to the theme of forbidden knowledge are "Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits / To practise more than heavenly power permits".

In these two parts, knowledge is presented as something dangerous and closely tied to "unlawful things" or, in other words, illegal things. Furthermore, "to practise more than heavenly power permits" means that access to knowledge has been limited since, otherwise, it can bring several consequences. Moreover, Marlowe's play purpose is to warn the readers of the dangers that knowledge can bring about.

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.