Themes: The Folly of Ambition
From the very outset, Faustus is unsatisfied with traditional areas of study, believing that he is destined for far greater accomplishments than the mastery of normal subjects can prepare him for. It is for this reason that he is attracted to the magical arts, which he knows can grant him powers far beyond those of even kings. But as Faustus’s true motivations become clearer, it is evident that he desires powers far beyond the limits of human life. As the action of the play builds, Faustus’s ambition clashes rather pointedly against his actual behavior, and this leads him to failure.
By setting Faustus’s goals as high as he does (diverting the Rhine, redefining the political borders of Europe, commanding the secret knowledge of the cosmos, etc.), Marlowe effectively predetermines the trajectory of Faustus’s arc. With such lofty ambitions, there is only one way for Faustus to go: downward. This also relegates Faustus’s highest ambitions to the purely theoretical realm. These ambitions prompt Faustus to go through with his deal with Lucifer. From the moment his wielding of infernal power becomes real and not theoretical, his actions seem mediocre.
It is a very human failing to be paralyzed in the face of an utterly inexhaustible set of options. In this way the true potential of Mephistophilis’s power, in the hands of Faustus, is never even remotely realized. Instead, Faustus exhausts his more impressive feats off-stage and in the space of a few lines of exposition and then sets his sights almost humorously low.
It is not hard to imagine Faustus experiencing a certain amount of fraudulence in the performance of his feats. This may be one reason for his altercation with the Knight. His reputation, his abilities, and his actions, are almost completely accomplished at the hand of Mephistophilis. Indeed, by seeking powers beyond that which humans can attain, Faustus gets precisely what he asks for: powers he cannot actually claim as his own. This is part of the lesson of his tragedy. Like Icarus, Faustus reaches for powers beyond his grasp and ultimately falls. Faced with the certainty of torment and death, Faustus finds himself precisely where he began but with his ambitions now reversed. Having gained little for the sale of his soul, he is ironically willing to give it all up again, merely for a chance at a bit more life.
Expert Q&A
Can you analyze this quotation from Doctor Faustus?
Faustus
Consummatum est: this bill is ended,
And Faustus hath bequeathed his soul to Lucifer.
But what this inscription on mine arm?
Homo, fuge! Whither should I fly?
If unto God, he 'll throw me down to hell.
My senses are deceived, here's nothing writ:
O yes, I see it plain, even here is writ
Homo, fuge! Yet shall not Faustus fly.
In this quotation from Doctor Faustus, Faustus ironically uses Jesus' last words, "consummatum est" ("It is finished"), to signify he has sold his soul to Lucifer. When "Homo, fuge!" ("Flee, o man!") appears on his arm, it warns him to escape his fate, but Faustus, feeling trapped by his pact and tempted by promised power, decides not to flee.
What parallels exist between Doctor Faustus and Lucifer?
The parallels between Doctor Faustus and Lucifer in The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus include excessive pride and ambition, leading to their downfalls. Both characters possess valuable attributes but seek more, sacrificing their moral status. Lucifer rebels against God and is cast out of heaven, while Faustus sells his soul for supernatural powers, both finding their bargains ultimately unfulfilling and tragic.
Could you explain these lines from Doctor Faustus: "See, see, where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament! / One drop would save my soul, half a drop: Ah, my Christ."
These lines reflect Doctor Faustus's despair as he realizes the consequences of selling his soul to the devil. He sees Christ's blood, symbolizing forgiveness, streaming in the firmament, but it's beyond his reach due to his pact with the devil. The "firmament" represents a barrier between heaven and Earth, emphasizing that salvation is unobtainable for Faustus. His plea for even a drop of Christ's blood underscores his desperation for redemption.
Can you explain and analyze this quote from Doctor Faustus in simple terms?
"CHORUS: Till, swollen with cunning, of self-conceit,
His waxen wings did mount above his reach,
And, melting, heavens conspired his overthrow"
The quote from the Chorus in Doctor Faustus refers to Faustus' downfall due to his arrogance and overreaching ambition. Like Icarus, whose wax wings melted when he flew too close to the sun, Faustus' excessive pride and desire for knowledge lead to his ruin. The "heavens conspired his overthrow" means that his hubris ultimately results in his downfall and punishment by fate.
Why did Doctor Faustus choose magic over all other fields?
Doctor Faustus chose magic over other fields because he found traditional disciplines like medicine, economics, and theology too limiting for his ambitions. Magic promised him wealth, power, and knowledge beyond conventional academic boundaries. His decision was driven by a desire for omnipotence and an inflated sense of self-worth, leading him to make a pact with Lucifer for earthly gains, thus reflecting his hubris and neglect of humility.
What motivates Faustus to make his satanic compact in Doctor Faustus?
Faustus is motivated to make a satanic compact due to dissatisfaction with his vast scholarly achievements and a desire for greater knowledge and power. His arrogance and ambition lead him to seek magic and omnipotence, aspiring to god-like status. His motivations are rooted in pride and self-conceit, paralleling the fall of Lucifer and the myth of Icarus. Ultimately, he finds magic mundane and disappointing, failing to achieve true satisfaction or fulfillment.
Does Faustus command Mephistophilis or is he commanded by Mephistophilis in the provided passage from The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus?
"I charge thee to return, and change thy shape... No more than he commands must we perform."
In the passage, Faustus believes he can command Mephistophilis, expecting obedience. However, Mephistophilis clarifies that he is ultimately a servant to Lucifer and follows only his commands. Although Faustus attempts to assert control, Mephistophilis is bound by Lucifer's authority. This dynamic illustrates the tragedy of Faustus's situation, as he cannot achieve the unlimited power and knowledge he desires due to Lucifer's overriding control.
What is the meaning and significance of this exchange between Faustus and Mephistophilis?
Faustus
I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live
To do whatever Faustus shall command:
Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,
Or the ocean to overwhelm the world.
Faustus
Did not he charge thee to appear to me?
Mephastophilis
No, I came now hither of mine own record.
This exchange highlights Faustus's hubris and misunderstanding of his power. Faustus demands Mephistophilis serve him unconditionally, revealing his desire for limitless power, even over cosmic forces. However, Mephistophilis's response clarifies that he appears not by Faustus's command but of his own accord, seeking souls who reject God. This shows Faustus's lack of true control, foreshadowing his downfall due to his overconfidence and failure to grasp the true nature of his pact with the devil.
Why does the irony of Faustus' career lie in his tragic dilemma in Marlowe's The Tragical History Doctor Faustus?
MEPHIST. I am a servant to great Lucifer, And may not follow thee without his leave: No more than he commands must we perform.
The irony in Faustus' career is that despite trading his soul for ultimate cosmic power, he becomes constrained by Lucifer's limitations, receiving only trivial magic tricks instead of true mastery. Faustus, who mastered all earthly knowledge, sought to command demonic forces, but ironically, he finds himself subject to Lucifer's will, losing the grand power he desired. Ultimately, Faustus' pursuit of necromancy leads not to freedom but to servitude under Lucifer's control.
The causes and responsibility for Doctor Faustus's tragic downfall
Doctor Faustus's tragic downfall is primarily caused by his insatiable ambition and desire for power. His responsibility lies in his conscious decision to make a pact with the devil, prioritizing transient earthly gains over eternal salvation. Despite numerous warnings and opportunities to repent, Faustus's hubris and refusal to seek redemption seal his tragic fate.
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