The Fall from Fame

The Faustian archetype has shown itself in countless stories throughout time. One’s desire for power, fame and fortune result in dark agreements and bad decisions that lead to their inevitable downfall, either by the law, the people, or by the fiery denizens of Hell. An initial reading of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus suggests that the text focuses on religious infidelity and that the author is concerned with the inescapable mortality of man; however, Marlowe, through the spiritual vices and the possession of power present in Faustus, reveals a view of internal corruption caused by lies and the acceptance of mediocrity.

Doctor Faustus displays an outward appearance of a proud personality and hunger for knowledge, specifically a craving for knowledge of the supernatural. He simplifies his current realms of knowledge and deems them “fit for a mercenary drudge who aims at nothing but external trash”. It’s this arrogance and frustration with the mortal nature of his current achievements that guide him to dealing with Mephistopheles (Werres).

Though his knowledge of the worldly topics of law, medicine, psychology, and philosophy are unparalleled among his peers, his perception of himself as superior and capable of controlling demons exposes him to manipulation from Hell. This excessive hubris dies down as his time of death draws near, and the demon’s ruse of being controlled with it, leaving only a bitter, sobbing husk of his former self.

As a means of controlling the perception of his situation, Faustus is deceived by both himself and the demons he deals with throughout the course of his hellish agreement.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified

Proficient in: Education

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

In his fear of facing the consequences from either divine or hellish parties involved, he often takes comfort in his own lies for temporary relief. He convinces himself that “hell’s but a fable,”. He believes himself to be invulnerable to the guaranteed terms to his contract, simply because he has decided on his own accord that there is no Hell. However, further into his tribulation, he decides that he should not attempt to acquire forgiveness because his “heart’s so hardened [he] cannot repent”. His acceptance of his fate demarcates the decline of his pride and beginning of his subservience to the devils. Despite his ubiquitous knowledge of the world, his own arrogance and lies blind him from the nearby truth and freedom. The demons sense and capitalize upon this disability with further deception of their own. They need not directly harm Faustus to retain their grasp because his thinking capabilities have already been corrupted, he has already convinced himself of the inevitability of his doom (Keeble).

In early attempts to mentally capture Faustus, the demons entreat him with transient gifts that might absorb the doubt within his mind and soul and fuel his sense of greed. First he is given a tour of the firmament on a flaming chariot, then a set of constantly changing books containing spells and summoning rituals to appeal to his desire for inhuman knowledge. Despite this, Faustus is still swayed by the visiting angels pleading him to return to the Lord(Marlowe, Find). His malleable position illustrates a possession of some amount of remaining free will, but through an extemporaneous visit, the agents of hell reel Faustus back. Lucifer, Beelzebub and the Seven Deadly Sins themselves are summoned for the sole purpose of keeping him locked on the track of self-destruction. This action, evoked by the demon’s fear, further demonstrates how most of Mephistopheles’s control is based on how corroded Faustus’s mental state is. Early on in the contract, more imposing gifts must be employed to keep the victim’s attention diverted from the paths of light, while he is destroyed internally with deception(find).

However, as time goes on, Mephistopheles gains enough control of Faustus’s psyche to require fewer gifts to be given and fills their absence with hollow threats (Budra). When Faustus might convince himself that his deal is impermanent, the words daring him to try to run from his soul’s new owners, “Homo Fuge!” are branded into his arm; when he might believe he can change his heart and return to God, an evil enforcer appears and threatens to “tear [his] flesh in piecemeal”. When an old man, sent by God almost succeeds in reconverting Faustus, the old man is beset and killed by demons, and Faustus’s blood contract is resigned on the spot. The demons never act upon their physical threats to him, as there is no need. The brunt of their statements alone against his eroded willpower are enough to drive the man back to fearful loyalty.

While Faustus is bound to this ownership, he takes diminishing opportunity to exploit his benefits for their worth. He was promised grandeur knowledge and fame, unknown to any other man in the world through the servitude of Mephistopheles for 24 years. With the power he was guaranteed for such a long term, he could have easily molded the world and its inhabitants to his own will. However, through the demonic guidance and deception, he garners minimal profit in comparison. He begins in a literal fiery glory, exploring the heavens and celestial bodies in them. He gains worldwide renown for his magic and knowledge. The recognition and power, that which he originally desired yet he performs his final magical deeds “fetching plates of fine grapes”(find).