Faustus and Lucifer Comparison, Chase Newman, Group 1, Week 4

In Christopher Marlowe’s play “Doctor Faustus”, Marlowe essentially recreates the story of Lucifer’s fall from grace by drawing distinct parallels between both characters. The thirst and conquest for power begins to be apparent on page 505 in which Faustus goes on a long speech of how Magic is the pinnacle of possible human successes, surpassing philosophy, law and medicine. This shows the selfish nature of Faustus. Magic serves only to help the magic user and does not grant any good for others. On the contrary, law, medicine, and philosophy do good for others, yet Faustus calls them base in nature. This is the first example of Faustus’ pride, arrogance and greed. He chooses to serve himself before others. This is similar to Lucifer’s fall from grace, which is first mentioned by Mephastophilis on page 509. When asked by Faustus why Lucifer is the prince of Devils, Mephastophilis responds by saying, “O, by aspiring pride and insolence, for which God threw him from the face of heaven.” Magic, which Faust seeks, goes against God, as Lucifer went against God. Both characters are seeking a higher power in order to be in control of the world and large groups of people.

Meanwhile there’s a serious internal battle with Faustus. He has two angels, one good and one evil, fighting to gain control of his morals. The good angel uses holy promises of a heavenly afterlife as a reason to persuade him to stop using magic, whereas the evil angel appeals to Faustus’ arrogance and promises honor and wealth. This creates an internal struggle inside Faustus that diminishes his individualism and makes him less of a real person in charge of his own destiny, and more of a pawn being manipulated by divine characters.