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
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.
The stages and justification of Doctor Faustus's damnation in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus
The stages of Doctor Faustus's damnation in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus include his initial pact with Lucifer, his subsequent indulgence in worldly pleasures, and his ultimate despair and refusal to repent. Faustus justifies his damnation through his insatiable thirst for knowledge and power, believing these are worth the eternal consequences, until he realizes too late the true cost of his ambition.
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.
Power and Ambition in Doctor Faustus
In Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the theme of power and ambition is central to the protagonist's downfall. Faustus abuses his intellectual and supernatural powers, obtained by selling his soul to the devil, for trivial and selfish purposes rather than noble pursuits. His ambition for knowledge and control leads to petty acts like pranking the Pope and summoning spirits for entertainment. Ultimately, his misuse of power highlights the futility of his ambitions and results in the loss of his soul.
Faustus's desire for a period of twenty-four years in Doctor Faustus
In Doctor Faustus, Faustus desires a period of twenty-four years to indulge in limitless power and knowledge granted by his pact with Mephistopheles. This time frame represents his willingness to trade his soul for temporal gains and earthly pleasures, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall.
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.
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.
Faustus' Pact with the Devil in "Doctor Faustus"
In Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, Faustus makes a pact with the devil, exchanging his soul for 24 years of power and knowledge. Driven by dissatisfaction with his studies and a desire for control, Faustus turns to black magic, summoning Mephistophilis, who facilitates the deal with Lucifer. Despite multiple opportunities to repent, Faustus remains trapped by pride and delusion. Ultimately, the promised power is illusory, and Faustus is unable to escape his fate, resulting in his damnation.
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.
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