Dr. Faustus Essay - 637 Words

By: Mark Daugherty In Dr. Faustus, Christopher Marlowe uses the resolution of the conflict between Dr. Faustus and the beliefs of his time to explore the idea of mans place in the universe. In Faustus time, it was believed that man had a place in the universe, and man must stay within his boundaries. It can be shown that Dr. Faustus stepped out of his place, failed in his attempt repent his actions, and ultimately caused his own end. The conflict between Dr. Faustus and the belief system of the age of discovery is established when Faustus makes a pact with the devil to sell his soul. Faustus, a top scholar and doctor in many fields, feels as though he has reached the pinnacle of human achievement. Yet, he desires further knowledge†¦show more content†¦He is later approached by the old man, who begs Faustus to consider the mercy of God, for Faustus has retained his human soul and can be forgiven by God. Here the conflict between Faustus and the belief system of his time escalates even further w hen he fails to repent his sins against God. The conflict is finally resolved, or ended, when Dr. Faustus twenty-four year pact ends, and he is carried away to hell by demons. Marlowe uses this action as a means to show that if man steps out his place in the universe, he will indeed fall as far as his aspirations were high. It is proved that Dr. Faustus did indeed cause his own end. Christopher Marlowes Dr. Faustus attempts to prove that man must not step out of his place, or he will meet his demise. Through Faustus, Marlowe succeeds at this attempt on many levels. The clash between Faustus and the beliefs of the times is resolved when Faustus fails to repent his sins and meets his demise at the hand of Lucifer. Marlowe makes it clear here that he his against Faustus high ambitions and believes those with god-like ambitions will fall to their demise. Faustus here becomes representative of mans desire for unattainable knowledge and power, albeit on an exaggerated level. Marlowes Dr. Faustus uses the conflicts of the main character and the resolution of these conflicts to establish and further his ideas throughout the novel. Word Count:Show MoreRelated Christopher Marlowes Dr. Faustus - The Folly of Dr. Faustus623 Words   |  3 PagesChristopher Marlowes Dr. Faustus - The Folly of Dr. Faustus Christopher Marlowes tragedy of Dr. Faustus envelops a realm of theological issues around one mans quest for knowledge. Feeling a university education to be inadequate for his purposes, Faustus makes the ultimate sacrifice possible to quench his thirst for otherworldly wisdom. Yet even though he gains amazing powers and a broad reputation as a man in the know, his quest is incomplete. He actually learns very little. 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