The line, “was this the face that launched a thousand ships?” is asked by this title character in a play written in the 16th century
On Friday, October 10, 2025, Jeopardy! closed out the week with a literary clue rooted in Elizabethan drama. The Final Jeopardy category was Classic Drama, and the clue read: “The line, ‘Was this the face that launched a thousand ships?’ is asked by this title character in a play written in the 16th century.”
Who is Doctor Faustus?
The quote in question is one of the most recognizable in English dramatic literature. It appears in Doctor Faustus, a tragedy written by Christopher Marlowe, one of the most prominent playwrights of the Elizabethan era and a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus was published in 1604, after Marlowe’s death in 1593, but scholars generally agree it was written in the late 1580s or early 1590s.
The line is spoken by the title character, Dr. Faustus, a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. During one of the scenes conjured by the demon Mephistopheles, Faustus gazes upon the spirit of Helen of Troy—mythologically regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world—and famously utters: “Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium?”
Understanding the Character of Doctor Faustus
Doctor Faustus is portrayed as a brilliant scholar who becomes dissatisfied with the limits of traditional forms of knowledge and turns to necromancy in his quest for more. The play delves into Renaissance themes of ambition, the thirst for knowledge, humanism, and the limits of human power. Faustus’ deal with Lucifer allows him to live in worldly pleasure for 24 years, after which his soul is forfeit.
In the scene featuring the quote, Faustus is fully immersed in the consequences of his pact. He calls forth Helen of Troy not for intellectual curiosity but to indulge in sensual delight, symbolizing his complete moral and spiritual descent. The poetic line captures both the mythical beauty of Helen and the tragic grandeur of Faustus’ damnation.
Literary and Historical Significance
The phrase “the face that launched a thousand ships” refers to the events leading up to the Trojan War in Greek mythology. Helen’s abduction (or elopement) with Paris, Prince of Troy, prompted the Greeks to launch a massive expedition to retrieve her—resulting in the legendary siege of Troy. Marlowe’s poetic use of this legend adds depth to Faustus’ longing and the tragic futility of his pact with the devil.
This line has since become one of the most quoted phrases in English literature, often used to refer to someone whose beauty causes chaos or conflict. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Marlowe’s impact on English drama and the cultural reach of his work.
The 16th-Century Context
Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus belongs to a period of transformation in English theatre. The late 16th century saw a shift from morality plays to more complex tragedies centered on individual agency and internal conflict. Marlowe’s protagonist is not a symbolic Everyman but a deeply flawed individual whose downfall is shaped by personal choices.
Unlike earlier religious dramas, Doctor Faustus engages with Renaissance concerns, especially the tension between medieval beliefs and the rise of scientific inquiry. Faustus is often interpreted as a cautionary figure—an ambitious man who overreaches and is punished, reflecting the era’s anxieties about human potential and divine limits.
Closing Thoughts
Friday’s Final Jeopardy clue offered viewers a moment to reflect on the legacy of early English drama and the literary brilliance of Christopher Marlowe. The play Doctor Faustus remains a staple of literature courses and theatre productions worldwide, not only for its historical value but also for its haunting themes of ambition, regret, and the cost of unchecked desire.
For those unfamiliar with the play, the line about Helen of Troy serves as an accessible entry point into one of the most influential works of Renaissance drama—a fitting conclusion to the week’s run of Jeopardy! clues