Soliloquies in Doctor Faustus

Q: Describe the two soliloquies which actually embodies the character of Doctor Faustus.

The term "Soliloquy" means thinking loudly. It is actually the character revelation or character appearance to the audience or the reader of the drama. Soliloquy is used as a tool or process by which the dramatist conveys the secret thoughts and intentions of the character, to the audience or the reader of the drama, about which the other characters of the drama do not know.

In Doctor Faustus; one of the most famous tragic dramas in Elizabethan period written by Christopher Marlowe; the first and last soliloquy of Faustus are the most two important soliloquy in the entire play. Here we find completely two different Characters of Faustus. In the first one we find a Faustus, a man of great intelligence and pride. But in the last soliloquy we find a very scary and helpless Faustus. Thus these two monologues have a great effect in the drama.

In the first soliloquy, we find doctor Faustus, a great scholar, sitting on his study table and examining various field of learning in order to achieve knowledge. Then Faustus chooses metaphysical philosophy, medicine, law and divinity, and rejects these serially because these subjects do not satisfy doctor Faustus. Then finally he has decided to go with black magic which makes a great appeal to him. Magic will bring him not only money but also power. Through black magic Faustus may know the secrets of other country. By this he will have whatever we want. So, Faustus thinks it is black magic which has a great effect on his life. By learning magic will enjoy the earthly life as God is enjoying in the sky. Faustus believes-

“A sound magician is a mighty god.”

From this soliloquy we find a Faustus who is very educated, over ambitious, confident, proud and greedy person. He doesn’t want knowledge for truth rather for power. He compares him with God and refuses the Bible which brings a miserable conclusion in his life.

When Faustus has started to read the magic book, meanwhile Mephistophilis come, the servant of Lucifer. Then they have a folly conversation where Faustus deals with Mephistophilis to serve him (f) for 24 years, then he (f) will sell his soul to Lucifer and will go to hell. After signing the deal Faustus enjoys the earthly life and meets up his all desire. But when 24 years have passed and at midnight Faustus soul will be damned forever; we can see the mental condition of Faustus in his last soliloquy.

In the last soliloquy we find completely a different Faustus. It was one our left to live and then Faustus soul will be damned forever. Now Faustus can realize his sins and wants to repent. He begs to the planets of the sky to stop its’ movements so that the midnight will never come. Then he begs to time to become the hour as a year, a month or a week or even a single day that he could repent. Then Faustus urges the hills and mountains to hide him up so that Mephistophilis may not see him (f). Now Faustus begs for one drop of blood of Christ which can purify his soul. Or his soul should be punished for a thousand year or a hundred thousand year, but not forever. But nobody is accepting Faustus urges not even God. Faustus then search for the Bible, which has rejected by him in the earlier scene. Now he throws out the magic book. But nothing can remove his sins and thus Mephistophilis come to turn out Faustus soul to be damned in the hell forever. Here we find a completely different Faustus from the first soliloquy

Marlowe shows the pity ending of Faustus for his own pride and arrogance. Thus Marlowe emphasizes upon the religious view of life by his wonder expression throughout the play.