The author, Christopher Marlowe, utilizes Medieval and Renaissance characteristics in order to portray the significance of Faustus’s quest in seeking unlimited knowledge. Throughout the play, the Moralistic key factor is evident through Marlowe’s persistent use of pride.
Incorporating main aspects pertaining toward Medieval times and the Renaissance era, Christopher Marlowe supports claims that illustrate Faustus as a Medieval hero trapped within the Renaissance era In the beginning, Christopher Marlowe utilized limitations set by God to demonstrate Doctor Faustus as a medieval hero. action. A tragic hero generally commits a mistake knowingly or unknowingly which makes him fall down from his high position and suffers a lot on account of it and ultimately dies.Doctor Faustus as a good example of tragic hero. The medieval ideology, men’s fate regarding his salvation or damnation is pre-decided by God. Doctor Faustus, a German scholar, has his selfish desire seeking the knowledge of necromancy when he says, “These metaphysics of magicians, And necromantic books are heavenly, Lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters; Ay these are those that Faustus most desires” (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 48-51).
With the determination to explore the condemned, Faustus believed in scientific discoveries and the idea of individualism proving to be a renaissance man who rejects the Christian belief. The act of pride was believed by a medieval person to lead a man to his damnation. Doctor Faustus plays an important role as a Medieval hero.However, Doctor Faustus could be portrayed as a typical Renaissance man.
The term Renaissance man was considered being a scholar on many fields, pushing the limitations of humanity. The author Christopher Marlowe Later throughout the play, Marlowe introduces two angels, Good and evil representing Faustus’s conscious and desires. When in doubt, Doctor Faustus conscious came in bringing along both angles for decision making.
The Good Angel, bright and holy attempts to aid Faustus in making the proper decision for redemption. In difficult situations, the good angel scolds Faustus, ” O faustus, lay that damned book aside, And gaze not on it lest it tempt thy soul, And heap God’s heavy wrath upon thy head!, Read, read the scriptures- that is blasphemy!” (Act 1 scene 1 lines 47–58). The quote stating from the good angel refers to Medieval Ideals saying ‘God’s heavy wrath’ and damnation if he continues this path. Being the Key to Faustus’s salvation, the Good Angel played the role for Faustus to act righteously. However, once there is good there is always evil. The Bad Angel, devils spawn and mischievous, manipulates Doctor Faustus in pushing God’s limits. The demon says, “Go forward Faustus, in that famous art, Wherein all nature’s treasure is contained, Lord and commander of these elements”(Act 1 Scene 1 lines 71-74). Faustus’s tragic follows which ultimately lead him to tragic consequence and eternal damnation.
The crucial problem of Doctor Faustus is his excessive greed. He wants more and more bad to be a dominant person. As he says,”All things that move between the quiet poles Shall be at my command (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 52-59).
” His pride and desire makes him abnormal and this way, he signs a deal with Lucifer despite knowing after a certain period of time his soul will be captured and he will suffer eternal damnation.Another of Faustus’ tragic is his disrespectful tone towards God. He wants to be the boss of everyone and he wants that other obey him. This is the thing that perhaps takes away the sympathy from the audience for him.
Faustus also thinks to be like God by gaining superhuman powers. But he can not comprehend that he is damning himself to eternal torment like Lucifer who was once one of the most beautiful angels until he was guilty of “aspiring pride and insolence; For which God threw him from the face of heaven.”In conclusion, Doctor Faustus as a great man who does many great things, but because of his own conscious willfulness tragedy and torment crashing down upon his head. He finally becomes the pitiful and fearful victim of his own ambitions and desires. Doctor faustus proved his tragic nature by trying to move above and beyond the limitations set by God. Faustus knew that he had to abide by certain laws and rules that God set aside for all of mankind.
Faustus knew his limitations, and by trying to break those, he damned himself to eternal torment, becoming a medieval hero.
