Doctor Faustus Character Analysis

Introduction

Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan tragedy, “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus,” delves into the captivating tale of Faustus, a German scholar who strikes a pact with the devil for boundless knowledge and worldly pleasures. This article will explore the play’s themes, literary devices, critical analysis, and the era in which Marlowe crafted this timeless masterpiece. Doctor Faustus Character Analysis

Understanding Blank Verse

What is blank verse?

Blank verse, a literary technique in poetry and prose, employs unrhymed iambic pentameter. It serves as a steady meter of ten syllables per line and finds frequent use in descriptive poetry, theatrical monologues, and contemplative pieces. Doctor Faustus Character Analysis

Classifications of Blank Verse Poetry

1. Blank Poem in Iambic Pentameter: Unstressed or stressed syllables.
2. Blank Verse Trochee: stressed or unstressed syllables.
3. Anapest Blank Verse: Stressed/stressed syllables.
4. Dactyl Blank Verse: Stressed or unstressed syllables.

Prominent Usage by Other Poets

Christopher Marlowe, a pioneer in deploying blank verse, influenced other notable poets:

• William Shakespeare utilized it in “Hamlet” and “King Lear.”
• John Milton employed blank verse in his epic “Paradise Lost.”
• John Keats embraced it in his narrative poem, “Hyperion.”
• William Wordsworth incorporated blank verse in “The Prelude.”
• Alfred Lord Tennyson used it in “The Princess” and “Ulysses.”

Summary of the Tragic Story Act-wise

Act 1: Faustus, a frustrated German scholar, tries to learn magic. He calls Mephastophilis a devil and strikes a bargain with Lucifer, surrendering his soul for twenty-four years of Mephastophilis’ servitude.

Act 2: Faustus proceeds to study magic and travels to Rome, where he fools the Pope. He then travels across the courts of Europe, his popularity spreading as he goes.

Act 3: Faustus is summoned to the court of the German emperor, Charles V, who requests that he visit Alexander the Great. Faustus conjures up a vision of Alexander, which impresses Charles. A knight mocks Faustus’s abilities, and Faustus chastises him by sprouting antlers from his head.

Act 4: Faustus continues to travel and scam people. He sells a horse that, when ridden into a river, transforms into a mound of straw.

Act 5: Faustus understands that his time is running out and that his life has been squandered. He attempts to repent, but it is too late. At midnight, a swarm of demons arrives and transports his soul to hell.

Themes of Doctor Faustus

The play delves into themes of sin, salvation, and damnation, reflecting Christianity’s vision. Faustus, by making a pact with Lucifer, commits the ultimate sin, exploring the delicate balance between redemption and eternal damnation. Doctor Faustus Character Analysis

The Plot of Doctor Faustus

Marlowe’s tragedy unfolds from Faustus’s pursuit of knowledge to his descent into self-absorbed mediocrity. The play serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the hazards of unbridled ambition.

Marlowe’s Literary Contributions

Christopher Marlowe, a trailblazer in Elizabethan literature, is renowned for his plays such as “Tamburlaine the Great,” “Doctor Faustus,” and “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.” He did not venture into comedic works, focusing on ambitious heroes and humanistic themes. Doctor Faustus Character Analysis

Marlowe’s Poetry

Alongside his plays, Marlowe ventured into poetry. “Hero and Leander,” an unfinished narrative poem, and “The Shepherd’s Passion for His Love” showcase his poetic prowess.

Symbolism in Doctor Faustus

Blood plays a crucial symbolic role, signifying Faustus’s pact’s durability and the supernatural nature of his dealings. Christ’s blood, seen during Faustus’s night of reckoning, symbolizes redemption in the Christian faith.

Literary Devices in Doctor Faustus

The play employs various literary devices, including blank verse, metaphor, irony, foreshadowing, allusion, and symbolism. These elements contribute to the depth and complexity of Marlowe’s work.

Critical Analysis

Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus” has been subject to extensive analysis. It serves as a commentary on the hazards of ambition, a reflection on Renaissance versus medieval values, and an assessment of the Protestant Reformation and individualism.

The era of Doctor Faustus

Marlowe penned “Doctor Faustus” during the Elizabethan era (1558–1603), a period of cultural and literary flourishing in England.

Motivation Behind Writing Doctor Faustus

The reasons behind Marlowe’s creation remain unclear, but the play mirrors the cultural shifts of the Renaissance, emphasizing individual strength over religious obedience.

Famous Quotes from Doctor Faustus

1. “Was this the face that launched a thousand ships?”
2. “Hell is empty, and all the devils are here!”
3. “O, I’ll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down?”
4. “Ay, we must die an everlasting death.”
5. “Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” stands as a masterpiece that explores the depths of human ambition, sin, and the quest for redemption. Marlowe’s use of blank verse, intricate symbolism, and rich literary devices elevates the play to a timeless classic.