Faustus: Dealing in the Dark

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Ambition, intelligence, and will are all attributes that can help one to succeed in life. What of these when they are used to strive for power? These attributes of the human mind turn into arrogance, ignorance and, at the extreme, (lead to) eternal damnation - (as) seen in Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, and similarly in society today. Faustus is enticed to reach for more power than is attainable through mortal means: "Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits/ To practice more than heavenly power permits"(Epil. ll.7-8). In his ignorance, he gives up his soul.

John Faustus - the main character - is educated in many fields: medicine, law, divinity, and philosophy, yet his appetite for knowledge is still insatiable. Despite his vast knowledge he is unfulfilled because he still lacks power. As the play unfolds, Faustus is overcome by a craving for power. He eliminates God from his life: "And Faustus vows never to look to heaven,/ Never to name God, or pray to him,/ To burn his Scriptures, slay his ministers,/ And make my spirits pull his churches down" (5.270-3). In western society today, people still lust for power - it is human nature to want. In Faustus' claim that he has nothing more to learn from this world his ambition turns to arrogance, and his intelligence turns into ignorance. Faustus believes that he can attain power beyond mortal ability. Why would God help Faustus, when he refuses to listen to God, and ignores the signs God gave him? Faustus makes several choices in ignorance of the final consequence. When he is having an argument (with the Good Angel and Evil Angel), and chooses to ignore the Good Angel (1.70-73).

When the Good Angel and Evil Angel appear again (5. 15-29), Faustus chooses wealt...

... middle of paper ...

...t pater nisi...[a father cannot disinherit his son unless...]"(1-31). Ironically Faustus foreshadows his own end in the beginning.

Faustus is a prime example of mankind's ignorance, which continues to thrive in society today. Faustus has ambition for power and control, and decides that the end justifies the means. Today mankind still lusts for power and control, how are we to know that our fate is not destined to be that of the late Dr. Faustus? Western society has pushed God out; fewer people go to worship; and there is no prayer or biblical readings in schools. Mankind's quest for power and immortality has destroyed nature - pollutants, gene manipulation, and medical research. Mankind is striving to become immortal, in the sense that genetic manipulation to prevent death is becoming more widely used. We could end up like Faustus, making deals in the dark.

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