Fautus Flashcards
‘sweet delighted disputes’ a
‘riper’, ‘fruitful’ ‘years [in] Wittenberg’.
The semantic field of food, a symbol of the consumption of traditional knowledge, presents the eponymous
character as nourished and satiated through his study of theology. Quickly however, this noble pursuit is corrupted, as seen through the symbolic motif of gluttony.
‘surfeits upon cursed necromancy’,
metaphor suggesting he overindulges on account of his hamartia, his hubristic desire for the power which comes with black magic, conjuring up a devil to be his ‘servant.
‘he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton’.
To highlight Faustus’ reckless over-reaching, Marlowe then makes use of a structural parallel between the title character and Robin, a lowly fool, through the symbolic motif.
The comedic parallelism highlights how Robin would foolishly sacrifice himself for a meal, satiating his immediate (and literal) appetite with little thought of the consequences, much like Faustus, the everyman, who unthinkingly makes a deal to sell his soul for ‘pearl’, ‘gold’ and ‘silk’, emphatic of his superficial, base desires.
‘Whose summum bonum is in belly cheer’.
The symbolic motif of food and gluttony then goes onto foreshadow Faustus’ inevitable downfall, as he forgets his impeding fate, instead terrorizing the Pope, The theological term, normally referring to the goodness of God, ironically suggesting that the friars chief delight is in glutto ny, in sin, excessively consuming to bring themselves joy. Marlowe’s reference to the corruption of the Catholic church could perhaps mirror Martin Luther’s outrage, the catalyst for the Protestant reformation, at the rising use of ‘indulgences, whereby through a monetary gift, the church would pardon sin, securing one’s place in heaven. The obvious anti-Catholic sentiment is even alluded to by Marlowe through Faustus’ ‘banquet’ where he ‘carouse[s] and swill[s]’.
The repetition of the symbolic motif here acting as a blasphemous parody of Christ’s Last Supper, highlighting that, no only has Faustus failed to redeem himself from ‘God’s heavy wrath’, he continues to blindly gorge. The parallel to the opening where he is ‘glutted with conceit’, suggests that Faustus’ downfall is inescapable on account of his inability to resist his own hamartia.
Explore how Marlowe makes use of symbolism in Doctor Faustus. You must relate your discussion to relevant
‘To guide thy steps unto thy way of life’.
This suggests that the title character has free will and can, even at this late point, take another path away from Lucifer and back into God’s embrace.
‘Revolt, or I’ll piecemeal tear thy flesh’.
However, Faustus is quickly persuaded by Mephistopheles The imperative tone and visceral imagery suggests that the eponymous character perhaps does not have complete free will, and we see how he quickly turns away from repentance, declaring, ‘with my blood again I will confirm/My former vow’.
