Characters: Doctor Faustus
The titular character and tragic hero of the play, Faustus is a brilliant and well-respected German scholar. Faustus decides to learn magic in order to gain wealth, fame, and power. He summons the demon Mephistophilis and sells his eternal soul to Lucifer in exchange for twenty-four years of service from Mephistophilis, who is to grant him whatever he wishes.
Faustus is ambitious to a fault and egotistical enough to believe himself above hell’s torments. He sets himself high-minded and impressive goals, such as to reorganize Europe’s geographical boundaries. In practice, however, Faustus quickly finds that his true motivations are not as lofty as his ambitions. At first, he pursues grand knowledge, but he quickly stops doing so in favor of personal delights, such as mocking the Pope. He uses Mephistophilis’s power to pursue wealth and fame throughout Europe and perform for royalty. At times he reconsiders his commitment to Lucifer. He is, however, easily manipulated into complacency by the dark forces.
Faustus is not a particularly prudent man, and time easily gets away from him. He finds the twenty-four years drawing to a close faster than he could have imagined, and his ambitions turn into anxieties. As his remaining years dwindle, Faustus becomes increasingly petty and even vindictive. He uses Mephistophilis’s powers less extensively and often for mere low-brow entertainments. At the end of the twenty-four years, Faustus has abandoned nearly all ambitions, and he retires to his hometown and resumes his life as a scholar. As his inevitable damnation approaches, Faustus comes to regret his decision to sell his soul, but he is too late.
Expert Q&A
Is Doctor Faustus a heroic character? Why or why not?
Doctor Faustus is not a heroic character. He is the protagonist but lacks heroic qualities, as he trades his soul for temporary power and pleasure rather than noble goals. His pursuit of godlike power through necromancy is selfish, and he ignores warnings from a good angel, choosing instead to heed demons. His actions cause mischief rather than good, making him a tragic figure and a cautionary tale rather than a hero.
In Doctor Faustus, does Marlowe's hero celebrate or criticise Renaissance human qualities?
In "Doctor Faustus," Marlowe both celebrates and critiques Renaissance human qualities through the character of Faustus. Faustus embodies Renaissance ambition and potential, aspiring to immense power and rejecting divine authority, which highlights the era's focus on human capability. However, Marlowe also criticizes this by depicting Faustus as ultimately petty, using his power for trivial purposes, and facing dire consequences. Thus, the play reflects both admiration and caution regarding Renaissance ideals.
How do Doctor Faustus's first and last soliloquies reveal him as a medieval soul and a Renaissance man?
The opening and closing soliloquys of Doctor Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus demonstrate the conflict within Faustus himself between his Renaissance mind, which yearns for knowledge, and his medieval soul, which yearns for eternal happiness in Heaven.
Doctor Faustus as a Renaissance Man in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus
Doctor Faustus exemplifies a Renaissance Man in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus by embodying the era's thirst for knowledge and human potential. His ambition to master various fields, including magic, reflects the Renaissance spirit of exploration and intellectual curiosity, though his overreaching ultimately leads to his downfall, highlighting the period's tension between human aspiration and moral limits.
Does Marlowe's Doctor Faustus represent humanity in general?
What are the similar qualities between Doctor Faustus and the modern man?
What is the meaning of gluttony and how does it relate to Doctor Faustus?
Gluttony, a deadly sin involving excessive indulgence, is exemplified in "Doctor Faustus" when Faustus steals the Pope's food and drink purely for amusement and malice. This act reflects his disregard for consequences due to his pact with Mephistophilis, believing himself above moral laws. The scene humorously undermines solemn religious rituals, highlighting Faustus's futile quest for power and his tendency to waste time on frivolous actions.
What is an example of Faustus' attitude and life before practicing magic in Doctor Faustus?
Before practicing magic, Faustus is depicted as a highly intelligent and accomplished academic with doctoral degrees in multiple fields, including theology, economics, and medicine. Despite his impressive background, he is arrogant and discontented, feeling that traditional disciplines are inadequate. His ambition and self-conceit lead him to pursue necromancy, valuing it above his previous theological beliefs. Faustus's attitude reveals his desire for power and immortality, ultimately leading to his downfall as he chooses magic over moral and religious principles.
What are Faustus's greatest achievements in necromancy?
Faustus's best achievements in necromancy (conjuring the dead) are calling up Alexander the Great and Helen of Troy, or at least having Mephastophilis do it for him.
The connection of Doctor Faustus to both the Renaissance and medieval spirits
Doctor Faustus connects to both the Renaissance and medieval spirits by embodying the Renaissance's quest for knowledge and individual power, while also reflecting the medieval focus on religious themes and moral struggles. Faustus's ambition and desire to transcend human limitations are hallmarks of Renaissance humanism, whereas his eventual damnation highlights the medieval preoccupation with salvation and the consequences of sin.
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