Themes: Good Versus Evil
Faustus’s damnation occurs because of his choice to favor his potential for evil over his potential for good. This is the basis on which Marlowe employs the Good Angel and the Evil Angel, as they both represent dual and oppositional aspects of Faustus’s own personality. But Marlowe takes pains to present this fundamental duality in a number of more subtle ways throughout the play.
The next most obvious example is perhaps that of Lucifer. Through descriptions of Lucifer, as well as from the one interaction between him and Faustus, we see that Lucifer’s evil is human in its nature. While it is true that Lucifer is the lord of sin, Mephistophilis suggests that Lucifer’s primary motivation for collecting souls is to gain company and therefore comfort from torment. As a former angel, he is also a force with the potential to do good and who is now pained and furious for want of the love of God. If we consider Lucifer as a tragic hero in the same vein as Faustus, then we may see Marlowe taking a somewhat sympathetic view towards the devil.
Another clever method by which Marlowe presents this fundamental duality is through the employment of Comedy within the context of Tragedy. Godliness, ostensibly the most benevolent force in existence, is barely portrayed in the play, and is shown perhaps most strongly by the courageous way in which the Old Man meets his tragic end. Conversely, the most vile and terrible forces—those of hell—are the source of nearly every humorous moment in the play. From an absurd floorshow of sin, put on by Lucifer himself just to distract a human from prayer, to the vulgar and low-brow behavior of the various secondary characters (Robin, Rafe, Wagner, the Clown, the Horse Courser, etc.), Marlowe spares no effort in creating humor from evil. And this depiction of sin, hell, demons, and Lucifer as primarily funny bears significant thematic weight. In particular, it is Faustus’s failure to take seriously the nature of sin and hell that causes the tension of the play. This is also the means by which Marlowe builds to Faustus’s tragic end, which is particularly powerful and grim. Marlowe continually defies expectation, crafting scenes in which the audience actually delights in the devils and sinners on the stage. Like Faustus, the audience is influenced to perceive the gravity of sin less seriously. The play’s prevalence of humor amid torment is precisely what makes the sudden absence of humor in Faustus’s final moments so compelling.
Expert Q&A
What role does Mephistopheles play in Doctor Faustus? Is he responsible for Faustus's doom?
In Doctor Faustus, Mephistopheles serves as an intermediary between Dr. Faustus and Lucifer, ensuring Faustus remains committed to his pact for power and knowledge in exchange for his soul. He provides Faustus with magical powers and distractions to prevent any reconsideration of his pact, especially as the end of the agreed twenty-four years approaches. Mephistopheles is not directly responsible for Faustus's doom but plays a crucial role in ensuring his adherence to the demonic agreement.
In Doctor Faustus, is Faustus's damnation tragic or an act of justice?
In Doctor Faustus, Faustus's damnation is both tragic and an act of justice. It's tragic because Faustus, a man with great potential, wastes his life through a deal with Lucifer, leading to his eternal damnation. This downfall, a key element in classical tragedy, highlights a wasted life. Conversely, there is a sense of justice as Faustus willingly signs a deal with the devil, fully aware of the consequences. His fate aligns with the contemporary understanding of divine justice.
What moral lesson does Marlowe convey in Doctor Faustus?
Marlowe conveys that the pursuit of excessive knowledge and power, as exemplified by Faustus, can lead to dire consequences and eternal damnation. Faustus's tragic flaw of hubris results in his downfall and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overreaching ambition. Additionally, the story highlights the Renaissance humanist idea that individuals are responsible for their choices and actions.
What is the meaning of this quote from Doctor Faustus: "O, I'll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down? See, see where Christ's blood streams in the firmament!"?
The quote from Doctor Faustus reflects Faustus's desperate attempt to escape his fate by turning to God. Despite seeing Christ's saving blood in the heavens, he feels a force pulling him down, symbolizing his inability to repent and escape damnation. This moment underscores the tragic futility of his last-minute efforts to seek salvation after making a pact with the devil.
What lesson about the nature of heaven and hell should Doctor Faustus learn from Mephistophilis?
Doctor Faustus should learn from Mephistophilis that hell is a state of being rather than a physical place. Mephistophilis, despite being a devil, expresses regret over his damnation, indicating that hell is the torment of being deprived of heaven's bliss. Faustus, however, dismisses this insight, failing to grasp the true nature of hell until it is too late, highlighting the internal and existential aspects of damnation.
Why is Marlowe's "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" considered a Christian tragedy?
Why does Faustus believe that hell is a fable?
In The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, Doctor Faustus has a "dispute" with Mephistophilis about the existence of hell. Mephistophilis tries to convince Faustus that hell is real, but Faustus thinks he is far too intelligent to believe in such a "fable" and tells Mephistophilis that stories about hell are are nothing but "trifles and mere old wives' tales."
The depiction of the seven deadly sins in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus
In Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the seven deadly sins are personified and presented to Faustus by Lucifer. Each sin—Pride, Covetousness, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and Lechery—appears in a grotesque form, symbolizing the moral and spiritual degradation Faustus undergoes as he delves deeper into his pact with the devil.
Doctor Faustus's struggle with repentance and forgiveness
Doctor Faustus's struggle with repentance and forgiveness exemplifies the internal conflict between his ambition and his conscience. Despite numerous opportunities to repent, his pride and desire for power prevent him from seeking forgiveness. This ongoing struggle highlights the tragic nature of his character, ultimately leading to his damnation.
The meanings and complexities of heaven and hell's relationship in Doctor Faustus
In Doctor Faustus, the relationship between heaven and hell illustrates the conflict between salvation and damnation. Faustus's ambition and desire for power lead him to make a pact with the devil, symbolizing his rejection of heavenly salvation for earthly gains. This complex relationship underscores the play's exploration of sin, redemption, and the human condition.
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