Doctor Faustus as a Renaissance Tragedy
The Renaissance was a cultural and educational movement that profoundly influenced the intellectual life of Europe. It was marked by a thirst for knowledge, power, materialism, and worldly pleasures. It also reflected a conflict between humanism and Christianity, as well as a fascination with classical mythology, art, and culture.
Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is a fine example of a Renaissance tragedy. It depicts the story of a German scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for black magic. Through his character, Marlowe explores the various aspects of the Renaissance spirit and its tragic consequences.
One of the main features of the Renaissance spirit is the lust for limitless knowledge. Faustus is dissatisfied with the traditional forms of knowledge, such as religion, law, medicine, and logic. He wants to learn the “metaphysics of magicians” and become “as powerful as Jove in the sky”. He says:
“These metaphysics of magicians And necromantic books are heavenly!”
After making a pact with Mephistopheles, he questions him about the universe and hell:
“First, will I question thee about hell? Tell me where the place that men call hell is?”
However, his quest for knowledge is not driven by genuine curiosity or wisdom, but by pride and vanity. He does not use his knowledge for any noble purpose but for trivial and childish tricks.
Another feature of the Renaissance spirit is the lust for boundless power. Faustus is not content with being a human scholar; he wants to be “a mighty god”. He says:
“Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. A sound magician is a mighty god Here, Faustus, tire thy brains to gain a deity.”
He uses his black magic to gain wealth, fame, and influence. He travels around the world with Mephistopheles and performs miracles and wonders. He also challenges the authority of the church and pope, whom he considers corrupt and hypocritical. He visits the pope’s court in Rome in invisible form and plays pranks on him. He says:
“How pliant is this Mephistopheles, Full of obedience and humility! Such is the force of magic and my spells.”
However, his power is not real or lasting; it is only borrowed from the devil. He does not realize that he is actually enslaved by his own ambition and doomed to eternal damnation.
A third feature of the Renaissance spirit is the love for worldly pleasures and materialism. Faustus desires gold, pearls, treasures, and fruits from all over the world. He says:
“I will have them fly to India for gold, Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, … And search all corners of the new-found world For pleasant fruits and princely delicates.”
He also craves beauty and sensual pleasures. He wants to have a wife who is “the fairest maid that is in Germany”. He conjures up the vision of Helen of Troy, whom he praises as:
“Was this the face that launched a thousand ships?”
However, his pleasures are hollow and fleeting; they do not satisfy his soul or bring him happiness. He only wastes his time and neglects his salvation.
A fourth feature of the Renaissance spirit is the dominance of classical literature. Faustus is well-versed in Greek mythology, art, and culture. He often refers to classical examples, allusions, and references in his speech. He says:
“Have I not made blind Homer sing to me Of Alexander’s love and Oenon’s death?”
He also admires classical heroes and figures, such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Helen of Troy, etc. He tries to emulate their greatness and glory.
However, his classical learning is superficial and misguided; he does not understand their moral lessons or their tragic fates. He also ignores the Christian values and teachings that could save him from his sin.
In conclusion, Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is a true reflection of the Renaissance age. It shows how Faustus embodies the Renaissance spirit in various ways, but also how he suffers from its tragic flaws. His downfall serves as a warning to those who wonder at unlawful things and overreach their human limits.