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Essay on Marlowe's Doctor Faustus

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Marlowe's Doctor Faustus

In Faustus' first speech in Act 1, my main feeling towards Faustus was not sympathy but irritation. I became aware of Faustus' arrogance and his impatience with ordinary learning, particularly with his referral to law as 'a petty case of paltry legacies.' He also constantly refers to himself as 'Faustus', reminding himself of his own importance.
Other aspects of Faustus' character are revealed in the descriptive language he uses. He is 'ravish'd' by magic, and is 'glutted' with learning. These adjectives show a very sensual personality.

The good and bad angels represent the two different sides of his personality, one side urging him to sell his soul for magic and the other urging him to remember that …show more content…

Faustus sees himself as indebted to Mephostophilis for 'by him I'll be a great emperor of the world.'

In Act 2, the good and bad angels return as a demonstration of both of
Faustus' opinions. Because Faustus is such a sensual person, he is more inclined to listen to the bad angel, which appeals to his material side. Faustus is unsure of his own decision and he pounces on anything that could be construed as a sign to him to stop in the selling of his soul. When he writes the bill damning his soul, and the blood congeals, Faustus wonders 'what might the staying of my blood portend?' Faustus questions Mephostophilis, who cleverly sidesteps each question and appeals to Faustus' sensual side by showing him a visual display of dancing devils and fireworks.

Faustus is keen to believe in heaven but not in hell. Even though
Faustus called to hell, and Mephostophilis is standing in front him as proof of the existence of hell, he does not truly believe his soul will be damned. He dismisses hell as 'trifles and mere old wives tales.' Faustus' sensual side, suggested earlier in the play by his language, is openly admitted in Act 2 when Faustus tells Mephopstophilis he is
'wanton and lascivious and cannot live without a wife.'

Faustus also asks Mephostophilis for the books with all the knowledge in the world. This is more proof of his scholarly side. The devils that visit Faustus are aware of how much he relies on his senses and use this to their

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