Theme Analysis Of Greed In 'Doctor Faustus'

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Chris Ashton
Professor Mustachio
English 243
April 15, 2016
Theme Analysis of Greed in “Doctor Faustus”
In the play “Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe gives a glimpse in to a well-respected scholar known as “Docotr Faustus”. Throughout the play the central theme of greed is shown in the decisions that are made by Doctor Faustus. He is a man who is wanting more in his life and is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. The play goes to show how greed is a sin that feeds people desires for just a moment but can only negatively affect a soul in the end.
Doctor Faustus is a man with incredible knowledge. He is a German man who is well respected by the people who surround him because of him being such a significant scholar. …show more content…

This does not mean his sin of greed will not catch up to him. He did sign a twenty-four year contract with Lucifer and him time is soon coming to an end. The night before Doctor Faustus’ contract expires, he begs for God’s forgiveness. He wants his soul to go to heaven and not hell. Sadly, it is too late for him and he must face his consequences of his decision. “Ugly hell, gape not! Come not, Lucifer!” (Marlowe V.i)

At this point in time the clock has stuck midnight and Lucifer is now coming for the soul of Doctor Faustus. In the end, Doctor Faustus has to now spend the rest of eternity suffering in hell along with others who made the mistake of disowning God. The play “Doctor Faustus” is able to showcase the theme of greed and how it can affect the person who is committing the sin. Doctor Faustus is a scholar who became very greedy and fed his appetite of it by making the ultimate sacrifice of his own soul to the devil. Christopher Marlowe wanted his audience to see what can happen if they are to disobey God and become misguided by sin for temporary happiness and

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