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What does Mephastophilis mean by "Marriage is but a ceremonial toy" in Doctor Faustus?
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In "Doctor Faustus," Mephastophilis means that marriage is insignificant and holds little value by calling it a "ceremonial toy." This suggests that marriage is merely a formal ritual without substantial worth. He degrades the idea to discourage Faustus from seeking a meaningful, loving relationship, implying that such commitments are trivial and restricting.
This quotation is part of an early discussion between Faustus and Mephistopheles regarding what Faustus will be able to receive in exchange for his soul. Faustus has achieved everything one could expect academically, and he even has some fame for curing towns of the plague. When he sells his soul, he and the audience would expect that even greater joys or honors would be his. One of the more poignant elements in this play is in selling his soul; Faustus is really seeking something something that "[s]tretcheth as far as doth the mind of man" (2.1). His ambitions, however, become increasingly base.
Here, this young scholar who has likely spent far too much time with his books thinks that his happiness will be secured if he finds a pretty wife. Mephistopheles, however, cannot give him a woman who will love him, but instead conjures a devil dressed like a woman...
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(and of course theirony is increased in Elizabethan staging since a boy actor dressed like a woman would be used to suggest a devil dressed like a wife). Perhaps Faustus is intimidated even by this, for he says she is too like a prostitute for him, suggesting his innocence and even nerdy scholarly hesitation. The scene is made more ironic by the subplot in which Robin and Rafe seek to conjure their own devils so they can see the pretty maidens dance naked.
To suggest that marriage is a ceremonial toy is to place these debased forms of eros in contrast to a sacramental act. In marriage, Faustus would find love and companionship and, perhaps, a greater source of happiness than he achieves through the loss of his soul. Since Mephistopheles cannot compel another human to love Faustus, he degrades the idea of marriage and makes Faustus think it has little value.
In Act II, scene i of Christopher Marlowe's play "Doctor Faustus," Mephastophilis states that "marriage is but a ceremonial toy." This has been defined by critics to mean that he believes that marriage is a trifle (trifle- something which holds little value). Therefore, Mephastophilis is simply saying that marriage is not necessarily worth anything.
One can look at this in two very different ways. First, a marriage is not what insures the success in a relationship. People do not necessarily need to be married in order to have a successful relationship. In essence, a marriage is simply a ceremony which publicly shows one's commitment to another. In Mephastophilis' mind, some may not need the ceremony to define their commitment.
Another way this can be defined is that marriage is simply valueless. By marrying, one limits their possibilities. Given the conversation surrounding the quote is speaking about courtesans (female prostitutes to those in high courts), Mephastophilis is reminding Faustus that he is limiting his opportunities by considering marriage.