Dr. Faustus symbolizes man’s superhuman
aspirations. Man is not merely content to be man. He attempts to be more than man.
But this pursuit ultimately ends in tragedy.
Dr. Faustus reaches the limits of human knowledge. Nothing satisfies him. He craves for superhuman knowledge and power. He barters his soul to the devil for two years. During this period, Faustus, instead of finding himself more powerful finds himself increasingly powerless before the devil. When the bond matures, the chief of the devil comes to collect Faustus’ soul. Faustus makes a moving appeal to be saved, but in vain.
Dr. Faustus in the pride of his learning proceeds to bargain with the devil for the
gratification of his lust and his sensual desires. His learning makes him think that Christianity restricts man’s
aspirations. He does not work for the destruction of Christianity but simply casts aside religion so that he can live without any restrictions. He tells the devil that in his opinion, Hell is only a myth. The devil tells him that he is free to think so until experience changes his mind. The rest of the play is devoted to the mind changing experience of Dr. Faustus. He ultimately realizes that he is becoming a slave of the devil. When he tries to repent, the devil stops him from such thoughts. Then he realizes that he has already lost his soul.
The play is also a morality play as it is cast in the Christian tradition and it offers an orthodox warning. Faustus had done what is forbidden and has suffered damnation. Wise people should draw a moral from the disastrous end of Dr. Faustus and not indulge in black magic. Dr. Faustus was unwise because he allowed himself to be tempted by the devil and to practice magic which God does not permit. Thus he was lead to damnation.
Dr. Faustus symbolizes man’s superhuman aspirations. Man is not merely content to be man. He attempts to be more than man. But this pursuit ultimately ends in tragedy.
Dr. Faustus reaches the limits of human knowledge. Nothing satisfies him. He craves for superhuman knowledge and power. He barters his soul to the devil for two years. During this period, Faustus, instead of finding himself more powerful finds himself increasingly powerless before the devil. When the bond matures, the chief of the devil comes to collect Faustus’ soul. Faustus makes a moving appeal to be saved, but in vain.
Dr. Faustus in the pride of his learning proceeds to bargain with the devil for the gratification of his lust and his sensual desires. His learning makes him think that Christianity restricts man’s aspirations. He does not work for the destruction of Christianity but simply casts aside religion so that he can live without any restrictions. He tells the devil that in his opinion, Hell is only a myth. The devil tells him that he is free to think so until experience changes his mind. The rest of the play is devoted to the mind changing experience of Dr. Faustus. He ultimately realizes that he is becoming a slave of the devil. When he tries to repent, the devil stops him from such thoughts. Then he realizes that he has already lost his soul.
The play is also a morality play as it is cast in the Christian tradition and it offers an orthodox warning. Faustus had done what is forbidden and has suffered damnation. Wise people should draw a moral from the disastrous end of Dr. Faustus and not indulge in black magic. Dr. Faustus was unwise because he allowed himself to be tempted by the devil and to practice magic which God does not permit. Thus he was lead to damnation.