Doctor Faustus is a classic example
of a tragic hero, a protagonist who is not necessarily bad, but whose downfall
is caused by a fatal character trait. Pride and an unmoving desire for
knowledge Faustus’ main flaw, and there is an allusion in the prologue to the
Greek myth of Icarus (a boy with wings made of wax who disregarded his father’s
warnings and flew too close to sun, causing his wings to melt and sending
Icarus to fall to his death): “[Faustus’] waxen wings did mount above his
reach, / And melting heavens conspired his overthrow” (Scene 1, 21-22).
Faustus also fails to view anything
as it actually is, instead making up what is right and wrong in his own mind.
His reason for not pursuing religious studies comes from a New Testament quote
(1 John 1.8), and he says “If we say that we have no sin, / We deceive
ourselves, and there’s no truth in us. / Why then belike we must sin, / And so
consequently die.” (Scene 1, 42-45). Faustus fails to acknowledge the line
directly following the one he quotes, which states that confessing sins is a
form of forgiveness from God. Faustus also doesn’t view magic as what it really
is, a dark magic resulting in the loss of one’s soul. Instead he puts it above
medicine, law, theology, and logic, viewing those pursuits as trivial and
favoring magic because it gains him information and power that is normally out
of human reach. Faustus is even warned multiple times by Mephastophilis to not go through with the deal, saying that it isn't at all worth it to not being able to go to heaven, but Faustus disagrees, going so far as to say he doesn't even believe in hell (in spite of the fact that he's making deals with actual devils...).
Why does Faustus only have Mephastophilis for 24 years? The
number seems too specific to be insignificant.
Just curious: Doctor Faustus the first story to ever use
the whole “good/bad angel on the shoulder representing the person’s conscience”
technique?
I find it interesting that you recognize Faustus as a tragic hero. I somewhat disagree, solely on the belief that he contains more than one "tragic" flaw. I believe he turns to magic as a way to better himself and make a name for himself, revealing his selfishness and pride. Also, like you mentioned, he had many opportunities to turn to God and instead chose to follow his "evil angel." This arrogance along with his previously-stated pride and selfishness combine to make Faustus an interesting character who is yet to prove to me that he has selfless motives. As for your second question, although I do not have an answer, I do find it funny to think about the good and bad angels on the shoulders that may have come from this story.
ReplyDelete