The Theme of Doctor Faustus

Theme of Doctor Faustus

Doctor Faustus, published in 1604, is one of the most famous and tragic plays in English literature written by Christopher Marlowe. It is probably the greatest achievement of Marlowe. The play shows a charming exploration of religious observance. Here we find, Doctor Faustus, is a very educated, greedy and proud person; who learns black magic to achieve power and at last creates his own path for damnation.

Doctor Faustus is a scholar and has a good hand in religious education. The first scene begins with the soliloquy of Faustus where examining various field of learning in order to achieve knowledge. He then serially rejects philosophy, medicine, law and theology, because none of these can satisfy him. Thus we find Faustus has a thirst for knowledge.

Because of his knowledge he has proud to himself and wants to go beyond human limitations. Here, Marlowe compares to Faustus with Icarus, who has waxen wings and went close to the sun and thus his wings melted by heat. So, the over ambition of Faustus will be a reason of his damnation.

Though Faustus is a very knowledgeable person, he learns not for truth but for achieve power. In his first soliloquy we find that he defuses the entire important subject because these will not help him to be powerful. So, at last he decides to learn black magic which will not only give him money but also give him power. So, here we also find the presence of greed of power.

So, when he starts to read the black magic book, Mephistiphilis come, the servant of Lucifer. Then in order to enjoy the earthly life and to be powerful, Faustus thus comes up with a deal to Mephistiphilis. He (m) tells him that he (m) will serve Faustus for 24 years if he (f) will sell his soul to Lucifer after the end of the contract. By this condition Faustus agrees with Mephistophilis and sign in the contract. Thus from that day the damnation of Faustus begins. 

After the deal is confirmed, we find that Faustus is enjoying the worldly life. His all desires are accepted by Mephistophilis. But when the 24 years have passed, in the midnight Faustus soul will be damned forever; we can see how Faustus is urging for help. In the first soliloquy Faustus was very confident, arrogant proud and greedy person. Faustus also compares him with God and he rejects the Bible and accepts black magic book. But in the end we find another Faustus. In the last soliloquy we find a very helpless Faustus. Now he can realize his sins and thus wants the help of God. He wants a drop of blood of Christ which will purify his soul. Now he wants the Bible and throws out the black magic book. He can now realize about his sins and thus wants the help of God for not to go to the hell. But nobody can do anything not even God. It is only Faustus who is the reason of his own destruction. Thus, Mephistophilis come and turn out the soul of Faustus into hell.

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.