WAGNER: Here it is.
In the canon of English Renaissance drama, few plays resonate with the haunting power of Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus . It is a play of cosmic stakes, electric language, and terrifying ambition. For students, scholars, and literary enthusiasts, the quest to find the Dr. Faustus full text with line numbers is often the first step in unlocking the dense thematic structure of the work.
For advanced research, the Marlowe Society offers a side-by-side A-text vs. B-text comparison. Each line is numbered consecutively across the entire play (e.g., line 1–1520). This is ideal for scholars debating which version is “authoritative.” dr. faustus full text with line numbers
MEHISTOPHELES: I see thou art a scholar, and a wise one, 41 And I perceive thou dost desire 42 The knowledge of the secrets of the earth.
Tools like or Sublime Text allow you to use a “column editing” feature. You can insert an incremental number at the beginning of every line. This is the preferred method for directors making a promptbook. WAGNER: Here it is
| Text Version | Line Numbers (Approx.) | Key Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Lines 1330–1370 | Faustus begs for time to stop; ends with “I’ll burn my books!” | | B-Text (1616) | Lines 1430–1485 | Longer soliloquy; scholars and devils appear; more explicit horror |
Several critical editions are available for purchase for under $3.00. Look for the or "Revels Plays" editions in digital format—these are the industry standards for line-numbered citation. For students, scholars, and literary enthusiasts, the quest
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/100/100-0.txt
The B-Text appeared in 1616. It is longer, featuring extended comic scenes, additional characters, and more spectacular stage directions, likely added by Philip Henslowe’s theatre company to capitalize on the popularity of the play.