doctor faustus as a renaissance play tragedy

doctor faustus as a renaissance play tragedy 

DOCTOR FAUSTUS AS A RENAISSANCE PLAY:

 The literal meaning of Renaissance is "rebirth" or "reawakening." There was a transition from celestial to terrestrial existence in renaissance period. The Renaissance man's touchstones were wealth, knowledge, and the power of knowledge. Individualism and worldliness were key aspects in this new mentality. 

 

        Though the Renaissance spirit can be seen in all of the writers of the later half of Elizabeth's reign—in drama, prose romances, poetry and novels—the influence of the Renaissance spirit can be seen in particular force on Marlowe and his colleagues. They are collectively known as the "University Wits." Marlowe's writings are the most famous representation of the renaissance mentality. He is motivated by the renaissance spirit for eventual powers, conscious knowledge for the purpose of power, and eventual money for the sake of power in the creation of the primary characters of his tragedies. Doctor Faustus, as portrayed by Marlowe, is a Renaissance figure who represents modern issues.

 

    Doctor Faustus is unsatisfied with the customary domain of knowledge. He has a lofty goal of becoming a divinity. As he says, medical knowledge, rationality, power, and law are insufficient for him:

 ''Philosophy is odious ….Divinity … the three''      

 

 He aspires to be a Renaissance man, with superhuman abilities that can only be obtained by necromancy. For him ''A sound magician is mighty God''. So he declares his desire in these words:

''Here, Faustus, tire thy brain to gain a deity''

                 

        During the Renaissance, there was a rational curiosity about new scientific discoveries and technological improvements that went beyond simply material advancements. It was a carefree time when nothing seemed unattainable. In Dr. Faustus, Marlowe has manifested such ideas, when Faustus says:

 ''O, what a world of profit … All things …..''

 

        In truth, Marlowe was influenced greatly by Machiavelli, the famed Italian writer who discarded all conventional moral precepts in order to attain his goals using all methods, fair or foul. Marlowe's ambition drove him to rebel against God and religion, as well as society's and man's laws. His reluctance will undoubtedly cause mental struggle, leading to great anguish and the downfall of both Marlowe and Faustus.

 

        To attain his purpose, Faustus strikes a deal with the devil. He is willing to pay any price in order to achieve his goal. Despite the tickling sensation of his mind and warnings from Good and Evil spirits about the dangers of damnation, he succumbs to the inclination, as the Evil angel says:

''Be thou on earth …these elements''                                                                              

      At this time, Dr. Faustus begins to fantasies about attaining superhuman abilities and accomplishing incredible feats with the help of the spirits he has raised.

''I’ll have them fly to India …… foreign kings''  

 

         Finally, when Faustus put on sales his soul to the devil in order to skillful all mastery and attain boundless abilities, he rejects God and all religious and moral values. He says:

''Ay and Faustus will turn to God …… own appetite'' 

 

        Knowledge equals power to Faustus. And it is through this power that he would be able to experience life's sensual joys. As a result, his first ambition after striking a deal with the devil is for the most attractive woman. He asks Mephistopheles: 

''Let me have a wife,... with-out a  wife''                                                                                                                                                  

        Faustus' intense desire to have Helen and discover Heaven in her lips reveals his insatiable desire for beauty and sensual delights. 

''Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss! --''

 

    Faustus meets his horrible end after completing the twenty-four year span. In the final moments, he discovers that supernatural powers are reserved for the gods. He expresses regret for his actions, but it is in vain. 

 

       Some commentators believe that in Dr. Faustus, Marlowe sought to oppose both old and new religious doctrines. He highlighted to the crowd that religion could not be ignored totally. Dr. Faustus strove to get whatever he could in his brief world while ignoring religion, but he was eventually doomed for all eternity and denied access to heaven. Another group of critics claims that God limits man's freedom in this world. If a man tries to go beyond his bounds, he will be cursed and sent to hell. As a result, they believe God is envious of man and does not want man to be equal to him. As a result, Marlowe rebelled against God's unfairness in the form of Dr. Faustus. However, he had to conclude his play with the following advice:

''Faustus is gone; regard …… doth entice …''