Themes: True Versus Illusive Power
Although Faustus does influence most of the action in the play through his desires and choices, almost none of his actual deeds are performed by him. From the first, Faustus’s summoning of Mephistophilis is undercut as an achievement when Mephistophilis admits that he only appeared because he had a good chance of collecting Faustus’s soul. From this point on, Faustus wields virtually no power of his own.
It is not only Faustus, however, who has the mere illusion of power. Mephistophilis himself admits that he can do nothing without the consent of Lucifer. His power, like Faustus’s, really stems from another source. Furthermore, the limits of Mephistophilis’s abilites are shown early on when he proves incapable of fulfilling certain basic requests of Faustus’s, such as for a wife or for information about who created the universe. Furthermore, the summoning of heroic and mythological characters as specters suggests that the power Mephistophilis controls is but a convincing illusion.
The same is true for Lucifer himself. While often considered a counterpoint to God, Lucifer is subordinate to God’s will and incapable of rising to the greatness of creation. Having only come into control of infernal powers for a short time, Faustus complains that the true splendor of the heavens is inaccessible—and this is because these divine things are off-limits to Lucifer. Even hell itself exists only in God’s absence, and this absence causes tremendous suffering even in Lucifer. It is arguable, then, that Lucifer’s power is lesser than that afforded to a human who is in God’s good graces. This is why, for example, Mephistophilis could harm the Old Man’s flesh but not his soul. Furthermore, the power of Mephistophilis seems to be summonable by anyone (literate or not) who can pick up the appropriate book. The “powers” of hell, in this regard, are no greater than those wielded by drunks, clowns, and servants. All of these facts suggest that, in the world of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, the only true power wielded by anyone in the play is that of God.
Expert Q&A
Trace Doctor Faustus' mental conflict from the play's start to his final hour.
Doctor Faustus' mental conflict in the play begins with his insatiable thirst for knowledge, leading him to magic and necromancy. Initially, he craves the power and omnipotence promised by these dark arts. However, as the play progresses, Faustus grapples with the severe consequences of his choice, realizing the power he gained is insignificant compared to the loss of eternal joy. Despite moments of repentance, he succumbs to fear of immediate suffering, ultimately regretting his choices and yearning for mercy.
What is the analysis of Mephastophilis's quotation in Doctor Faustus?
Mephastophilis:
Within the bowels of these elements,
Where we are tortured, and remain for ever.
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed
In one self place; but where we are is hell,
And where hell is, there must we ever be.
And to be short, when all the world dissolves,
And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be hell that is not heaven.
Mephastophilis's quotation in Doctor Faustus reveals that hell is not a specific physical location but a perpetual state of being and torment for the damned, wherever they exist. By stating that "Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed," Mephastophilis emphasizes the omnipresence and inescapability of hell, underscoring the eternal spiritual essence and torment that awaits the damned, including Faustus. This interpretation highlights the spiritual and existential dimensions of hell, rather than a physical one.
Is Doctor Faustus misled by the devil or willfully blind in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus?
In Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, Faustus is both misled by the devil and willfully blind. While the devil manipulates him, Faustus willingly seeks power through the black arts and dismisses opportunities for repentance. His scholarly background and calculated decisions indicate his deliberate actions. However, he's deluded about his control over the forces of Hell, misunderstanding the true power dynamics. Ultimately, his refusal of salvation stems from a fear of suffering, revealing his delusion about his pact with the devil.
How do the Good and Bad Angel in Doctor Faustus reflect Faustus's tragic flaw of ignoring repentance?
The Good and Bad Angels in Doctor Faustus symbolize Faustus's internal conflict and tragic flaw of ignoring repentance. While the Good Angel urges him to repent, the Bad Angel entices him with power and wealth, leading Faustus to delude himself into believing he is "safe" from consequences. This self-deception, driven by immediate temptations, prevents him from recognizing the need for repentance until it is too late, ultimately sealing his tragic fate.
Analyze Mephistopheles' effect on Doctor Faustus in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.
Mephistopheles significantly influences Doctor Faustus throughout the play. Initially, Faustus feels amused and superior, but as Mephistopheles provides knowledge, Faustus's feelings shift to appreciation, followed by scorn and regret. Fear grips Faustus when Lucifer arrives, leading to submission through entertainment by the Seven Deadly Sins. Ultimately, Mephistopheles terrorizes Faustus, promising torment and eternal damnation, culminating in demons dragging Faustus to his punishment, marking his tragic downfall.
In Doctor Faustus, does Doctor Faustus command the devil or vice versa?
In "Doctor Faustus," Faustus initially believes he commands the devil, but ultimately, it is the devil who controls him. Faustus willingly enters into a pact with Lucifer, thinking he can wield the powers of darkness. However, Mephistopheles, as Lucifer's servant, is bound by Lucifer's orders, not Faustus's. Faustus's ego and desire blind him to the reality of his enslavement, and he eventually accepts responsibility for his doomed fate.
What conflicting messages does Mephistophilis give to Faustus in Doctor Faustus?
From the time that Mephistophilis first appears to Doctor Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, Mephistophilis gives Faustus conflicting messages, even trying to dissuade Faustus from making a contract for his soul with Lucifer while fulfilling Faustus's every demand and desire. In the end, however, it's Mephistophilis who enforces Faustus's contract with Lucifer and escorts Faustus to his eternal damnation.
The dramatic role and analysis of the good and evil angels in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus
In Doctor Faustus, the good and evil angels symbolize Faustus's internal struggle between redemption and damnation. The good angel represents his conscience and the possibility of repentance, while the evil angel embodies temptation and the allure of power. Their interactions highlight the moral conflict and the consequences of Faustus's choices throughout the play.
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