hjhg

In Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, the protagonist, Faustus, sells his soul to the devil in exchange for limitless knowledge and black magic. By doing so, Faustus creates a tragedy for himself. Through the actions and consequences that Faustus faces, the play reiterates the idea that righteous living and knowledge are more valuable than earthly gains obtained by wrongdoings because one no longer possesses ambition to learn and act upon things when knowledge is received rather than achieved.

Faustus was an well knowledged man in various field; however, his desire for knowledge expanded beyond the means acceptable for a human. Therefore, he decided to trade his soul for limitless knowledge and black magic. His desire for knowledge was beyond the amount of knowledge capable being. Faustus wanted enough knowledge to become imortal and almost God-like. While he was warned by Mephostophilis and the good angel, Faustus remained adherent to decision. “Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think’st thou that, who saw the face of God, And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, Am not tormented with thousands hells In being deprived of everlasting bliss?” (75-89). Mephostophilis describe the torture he faces as he has forever become separated from God and the heavens. Faustus overlooks the eternal joys of heaven for the opportunity to make man immortal.

Signing the agreement, Faustus made the deal final and he gave up his righteous knowledge in order to gain knowledge to further his ambitions. However, he does not use his powers to do good but play pranks on the pope, the Horse-courser, and Robin and Dick. The deal marked a change in Faustus from a knowledged and educated man to a someone who was like gleeful child. His gleeful child personality was seen through his contentment of torturing other, seeing others suffer, and playing pranks.

The idea that righteous living and