Faustus Essay

Explore the way in which Marlowe presents Faustus as a character who gets what he deserves

In Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe presents Faustus as a character who gets what he deserves in multiple ways. For example, the poem’s chorus presents the idea that Faustus’ downfall is caused by his own failing, and this is certainly hinted upon throughout the play. Faustus’ hamartia is his hubris, and this is shown multiple times throughout the play, most notably throughout his relationship with Mephistopheles, as he refers to Mephistopheles as “my sweet Mephistopheles” multiple times, albeit with affection.
Also,it is Faustus’ greed that motivates him to make is deal with Lucifer, only in search of power. He is shown to disregard the consequences of his actions. However, he is also shown to not really understand these consequences, and so it could be argued that Faustus does not deserve eternal damnation, as if he’d understood the consequences he’d have acted differently. Supporting this interpretation, Faustus doesn’t seem to believe in heaven or hell. Faustus contemplates suicide later in the play to avoid hell, something which would only have brought about his fate sooner, showing his ignorance. Faustus is very flippant concerning his soul, this is shown by the quote “had I as many souls as there be stars,I’d give them all for Mephistopheles.” The emotive language used by Faustus at the end of the play further shows his ignorance.
Furthermore, Faustus is tempted multiple times by Lucifer, when he shows Faustus the seven deadly sins and gives Faustus spellbooks, by Valdes and Cornelius before Faustus makes the pact, and by Mephistopheles when he hints at the power Faustus can possess. Temptation can be blamed for Faustus’ actions. As well as this, it can be argued that Faustus was damned from the start, as Faustus’ hunger for knowledge is expanded upon throughout the play. This could be an attempt on Marlowes part to make Doctor Faustus a sympathetic character befitting the genre of the play – tragedy. Opposing this argument, Mephistopheles does warn Faustus not to enter the pact with Lucifer, though unconvincingly. It is also held that Faustus knew that what he was doing was wrong in the eyes of the church.
Furthermore, Faustus is shown to hold contempt towards Catholicism and commits multiple sins that are highly frowned upon, such as when Faustus punches the pop and gives the knight horns. These sins, the dirge performed by the friars and along with the fact that Faustus made a deal with Lucifer to begin with, would make the audience expect Faustus to be punished, thus suggesting that Faustus gets what he deserves when he is dragged down to hell. However, in the original text of the play, Faustus is redeemed by the end of the play, as Christian beliefs hold. Marlowe changed this for his version as he was a protestant. Protestants believed in en sola fide (by faith alone)while catholics could purchase relics that would grant the purging of their sins. The audiences of the time would expect Faustus to be dragged down to hell, since he displays no faith in God, a taboo of the sixteenth century.
Marlowe also foreshadows Faustus’ fate through the chorus and classical allusion, as the chorus compares Faustus’ and his deal with Icarus, an ancient Greek myth in which a boy flies too close to the sun, a metaphor for trying to achieve more then is possible, which certainly relates to Faustus.
In addition to points already made, it can be argued that Faustus, as an ideal renaissance man, self made and educated. The chorus compares Faustus to a burned laurel bough, highlighting Faustus’ wasted potential. However, the chorus also condemns Faustus with quotes like “falling to a devilish exercise, and glutted with learning’s golden gifts.” Furthermore, the chorus’ contrast between the “fruitful plot” of scholarism and cursed black magic makes it clear Marlowe’s intent to villianise black magic and Faustus.

In conclusion, it can be argued both ways as to whether Faustus deserves heaven or hell. Faustus commits many sins towards God, the pope and the catholic church, but it can be argued that he should have been allowed to repent, like Eve in the bible. Faustus is also somewhat unselfish in the face of death, as shown by the quote “talk not of me, but save yourselves, and depart”. Also, Faustus truly believes he cannot repent, as shown y the quote “Ah, my God, I would weep, but the Devil draws in my tears.” This attitude on Faustus’ part is also brought about by Mephistopheles, who threatens to kill Faustus if he calls upon God. On the other hand Faustus’ goals for using the power gained from Lucifer are purely selfish, this is shown by the quote “I’ll be great emperor of the world.” Furthermore, it can be argued tat Faustus could have listened to the good angel and not made the pact with Lucifer. Marlowe also implies a comparison between Lucifer and Faustus – both characters are power hungry and confident, which leads to their downfall.