Task Four - Gothic Themes of Over Ambition, Sin and Evil in Act 1 of Doctor Faustus)

          'How does Marlowe explore the Gothic themes of over-reaching ambition, sin and evil in the first Act of Dr Faustus?'



Jude Law in Doctor Faustus

After Marlowe's reference to the myth of Icarus in the prologue, Marlowe further explores the theme of over-reaching during Faustus' monologue, which takes the form of a dialectic, as he discusses human limitations and the possiblity of gaining a deity. Thus, Faustus compromises the 'chain of being' (Latin: Satin Naturae which means 'ladder or stairway of nature' with God being at the top) as he aims to place himself above God, the highest being. Faustus' arrogance caused by his own intelligence means that he becomes obsessed with immortality and eternal life as he says, "Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man/Wouldst thou make man to live eternally?" (line 23 and 24). He also expresses childish bitterness over the fact that he has accomplished great things but his status has not changed; he is still a normal human being. Faustus' lack of abilities and rewards for his achievements perhaps motivates him to turn his back on God ('Divinity, adieu!' - line 50) and start practising with 'heavenly' necromancy. The line 'A sound magician is a mighty God' describes Faustus' plans to practise and become great at necromancy in order to break away from the constraints of human-limitations.

   Marlowe also explores the concept of over-reaching through Faustus' commanding nature towards Mephistopheles who is more powerful than Faustus and therefore it seems ironic that Faustus is talking to Mephistopheles in a way that seems to reflect superiority. Doctor Faustus says, 'I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live' (Act 1 Scene 3) which repeats the line 'I charge thee', suggesting his belief that he conjured Mephistopheles himself rather than Mephistopheles appearing of his own accord. Here, Marlowe creates authority in Faustus' speech through Marlowe's use of Iambic Pentameter showing Faustus to be an over-reacher as he is already acting like a deity.

Faustus reading what
appears to be a book of necromancy

   In Act 1 Scene 1, Marlowe explores the ideas of evil and sin. For instance, Faustus challenges the religious ideas of the time and claims, in the form of a Binary Opposition, that 'necromantic books are heavenly' (line 52) which shows Faustus' lack of belief in Divinity through his use of religious language to describe objects that are associated with black magic throughout the play. In the same scene, Faustus appears very selective in his choice of quotations from the Bible, such as Faustus neglection of the quote (that continues after the line 'If we say that...'), 'I we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'. The fact that Marlowe chooses to neglect these lines suggests Faustus' impatience in God and also his willingness to transgress the boundaries of human limitations (a key feature of the Gothic) because of his lack of belief in salvation. This was earlier explained when Faustus says, 'If we say that we have no sin/We deceive ourselves' which relates to the Original Sin that was committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In this way, perhaps Faustus believes that there is nothing to hold him back from sinning again for he is eternally damned already. However, alternatively maybe it is an 'illustration of Faustus' foolishness' - maybe he is ignorant of God's kindness inspite of his supposed great knowledge about divinity, medicine and law. - (Stevie Simkin). Perhaps it is fair to say that although Faustus has a great amount of knowledge, he lacks the wisdom needed to better himself or his world which results in sin.