In the play “Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe, the main character
Doctor Faustus is introduced as a man who wants to be god-like, one worthy of
power and wealth rather than just medicine. The conflict appears instantly as
Doctor Faustus comes to a cross road where he must decide to either pursue more
of life, that holds consequences, or follow life’s rules and live unsatisfied.
His decision is assisted by two angels, a good angel and an evil angel who try
to pursue Doctor Faustus of “the right choice.” On page 504 both angels enter
the play and the good angel is the first to speak to Faustus, perhaps because
in this story the play writer is trying to demonstrate good comes before evil.
The good angel speaks to Faustus warning him to not let the book of dark magic
tempt his soul. (504) While the evil angel contradicts this stating that magic
is a famous art that comes with “natures treasury”. (504) Marlowe displays a
common conflict that can appear in every day life, the choice between doing
what is right and what is wrong. In this part of the section it is easy for me
to predict that although Dr. Faustus is brilliantly book smart he may choose to
not be what some consider “street smart” by his desire to pursue the power he
does not have. Doctor Faustus states, “should I make spirits fetch me what I
please, resolve me of all ambitions” (504) indicating that even before the
choice is clearly stated in the play Faustus is already swept up in the idea of
dark magic and having unlimited power. While this is written in the time of Renaissance,
where education was highly recognized as well as personal status does Doctor Faustus
accurately represent this time period or does he remind you of someone from a
different area? Also, Marlowe introduces the chorus, which comes off as narrators
before the main character, what is the significance of that? Why does Doctor Faustus
speak to himself in first person in the play, is it because he wants to seem
more intelligent?
I really like your point on the good and bad angel, I think this is one of the first stories to ever use such an analogy. I think Doctor Faustus speaks to himself in a first language to show the audience that he thinks highly of himself, and worthy of great power. It's only in the end of the story do we see him break down to the audience by asking God for forgiveness.
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