Doctor Faustus | Christopher Marlowe | Study Guide

Author: Christopher Marlowe

Year: c. 1592

Type: Play

Genre: Tragic Drama, Renaissance Tragedy

About Title

The title "Doctor Faustus" refers to the play's protagonist, a brilliant scholar who becomes dissatisfied with the limits of traditional forms of knowledge and decides to pursue magic and strike a deal with the devil, trading his soul for nearly unlimited power and pleasures during his lifetime.

Characters

Major:

Faustus: A highly educated scholar and the protagonist, whose insatiable ambition and thirst for power lead him to make a deal with the devil, selling his soul for 24 years of supernatural abilities and pleasures.

Mephastophilis: A devil who becomes Faustus's servant after he signs away his soul. He carries out Faustus's demands, revealing the cynical and deceptive nature of demonic forces.

Good Angel and Evil Angel: Allegorical characters representing the moral choices Faustus faces, one urging him toward good and the other luring him toward evil.

Minor:

Valdes and Cornelius: Two friends of Faustus who instruct him in the dark arts of magic.

Lucifer: The prince of devils, who oversees Faustus's deal.

The Old Man: A figure representing moral guidance who attempts to dissuade Faustus from his sinful path.

Wagner: Faustus's clownish servant, who witnesses and participates in some of his master's deeds.

Summary

In "Doctor Faustus," Marlowe presents a powerful Renaissance tragic drama about the price of knowledge and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Dr. Faustus, a brilliant scholar in Wittenberg, grows dissatisfied with the limitations of traditional forms of knowledge and decides to pursue the dangerous arts of magic. He is visited by Mephastophilis, a devil, and despite being warned by a Good Angel, Faustus ignores moral guidance and signs a contract with Lucifer, trading his soul in exchange for 24 years of having Mephastophilis as his servant and access to supernatural powers.

For the next two decades, Faustus indulges in a life of luxury, trickery, and jest, using his newfound abilities to play harmless pranks and travel across Europe. However, he also experiences moments of regret and terror as the end of his deal approaches. As the 24 years near completion, Mephastophilis and a host of devils appear to violently claim Faustus's soul, dragging him into the depths of hell as the play reaches its tragic conclusion.

Marlowe's drama explores potent themes of free will, the corrupting nature of power, and the alluring yet perilous consequences of overreaching human ambition. The play serves as a morality tale, warning against the dangers of sacrificing one's soul for earthly pleasures and knowledge.

Symbols

The Magic Circle: This represents the boundary between the natural and supernatural realms, allowing Faustus to summon spirits while also protecting him from demonic influences.

The Contract: Faustus's written pact with Lucifer, signed in his own blood, symbolizes his willing surrender of his soul and moral principles in exchange for power.

Books: Knowledge and learning are central symbols, representing both the heights of human achievement and the limitations that drive Faustus to seek forbidden wisdom through magic.

The Seven Deadly Sins: These allegorical figures personify the vices that tempt Faustus, illustrating the moral corruption that accompanies his deal with the devil.

Themes

The Dangers of Excessive Ambition: Faustus's relentless pursuit of power and knowledge, even at the cost of his soul, serves as a warning against allowing ambition to consume one's moral compass.

The Limits of Human Knowledge: The play explores the human desire to transcend natural boundaries and the consequences of attempting to gain knowledge or abilities beyond what is ethically or divinely permitted.

The Conflict of Renaissance Humanism: Faustus embodies the Renaissance ideal of human potential and achievement, yet his tragic downfall highlights the limitations and potential dangers of this philosophy when taken to extremes.

Sin, Redemption, and Damnation: Marlowe's Christian morality tale wrestles with themes of sin, the possibility of redemption, and the eternal damnation that awaits those who stray too far from the path of righteousness.

Power and its Corrupting Influence: Faustus's access to seemingly limitless powers corrupts him, leading him to disregard moral boundaries and indulge in hedonistic pleasures, ultimately resulting in his eternal torment.

In conclusion, Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" stands as a timeless exploration of the human condition, morality, and the pursuit of knowledge and power. Through the tragic tale of Dr. Faustus, Marlowe delves into themes of ambition, hubris, and the consequences of making Faustian bargains. The play challenges audiences to reflect on the limits of human endeavor and the eternal struggle between good and evil. As Faustus grapples with his choices and ultimately faces damnation, Marlowe invites us to ponder the nature of redemption and the price of forsaking one's soul. "Doctor Faustus" remains a powerful cautionary tale that continues to captivate and provoke thought, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of moral integrity.