The story of deception of Dr. Faustus starts when he desires to achieve knowledge (Frey “Antithetical Balance in the Opening and Close of Doctor Faustus”). He is depicted as a very educated and knowledgeable man, who is at the epitome of the Renaissance man. The Renaissance man is defined by notable theorists such as Abraham Maslow as an individual who has reached self-actualization.
The author, Marlowe, in his quest for studying the most ambitious individuals, encountered the Renaissance “overreacher”, (Ruickbie 15) thus, sharing his views on heroism and the power of will with his readers, at the same time, chronicling the possible loss of human beings that is often attributed by his negligent look at the abuse of office. This inspired him for writing a tragedy about Dr. Faustus.
Marlowe depicts Dr. Faustus as a great individual with profound knowledge in various spheres, who wants to receive more knowledge by making agreements with the devil. In his thinking capacity, Dr. Faustus felt that the underworld god, who has created a human body, obtains plenty of valuable knowledge, including the knowledge that is forbidden.
This can be associated with the fact that according to the Bible, it is the devil who contributed the idea of the forbidden fruit, thus, making Adam and Eve sin. This was the initial deception of Dr. Faustus.
Another point of his self-deception was the assumption that hell does not exist. It is obvious that Dr. Faustus had a strong belief in the Elysian Fields, the place that is portrayed as being abode for the dead people, or the individuals who have been accorded immortality by the favor from the divine world.
The intention of Dr. Faustus was to collect the information on various issues which were interesting to him by conducting debates with the ancient philosophers till the end of his life. The range of Faustus’ interests is rather wide and he even asks Mephistopheles to describe hell to him. Finding the answer to this question would mean renouncing God:
“Why this is hell, nor am I out of it:
Think’st thou that I, who saw the face of God,
And tasted the eternal joys of heaven,
Am not tormented with ten thousand hells
In being deprived of everlasting bliss!” (Marlowe 14).
However, when Mephistopheles gave Dr. Faustus very stern warnings about the reality of what was taking place in hell, Dr. Faustus just turned deaf ears to such assertions. It is possible that at the back of his head he perceived such answers as mere allegations. It is important to note that Dr. Faustus would not listen to the warnings about the reality of hell simply because he is virtually deceived by his continued lust for the quest of knowledge, being famous and the tremendous power he had acquired.
Dr. Faustus is certain that in his own capacity as a man, he has acquired strength that could overcome that of Mephistopheles. This can be found in the following conversation in the tragedy: “What is great Mephistopheles so passionate for being deprived of the joys of heaven? Learn thou from Faustus manly fortitude, and scorn those joys thou never shall possess” (Pinciss 250).
The deception of Dr. Faustus continues to be depicted in his quest for study along with the expectations for the return of Mephistopheles. The inner monologue of Dr. Faustus focuses on the differences between the good and bad angels. In particular moments, the character gets doubts concerning his decision and hesitates whether he should return to God whom he has renounced previously. “Abjure this magic, turn to God again.
Faustus will turn to God again” (Marlowe 19). However, he again makes some assertions that God is ego-centric as He fulfills His own wishes, “The god thou servest is thine own appetite” (Marlowe 20). According to some critics, this is the only truth that Dr. Faustus talks of in the entire literary work.
Amazingly, Mephistopheles comes back at the strike of midnight hour. Lucifer, the king of the devils, has given permission to Mephistopheles to give utmost services to Dr. Faustus for an overwhelming 24 years, so that thereafter, his soul could be destroyed.
Dr. Faustus is then easily coerced to enter into an agreement with Mephistopheles that would see him being captive as a result of his own blood. Mephistopheles lies to Dr. Faustus that the moment he agrees to sign a contract with his own blood, he would thereafter be at the same level of greatness with the Lucifer, thereby rendering Lucifer powerless in his endeavors to claim his soul.
In the agreement, Mephistopheles is forced to grant every Faustus’ wish and desire. This also depicts the deception of Dr. Faustus. It is important to ascertain that Mephistopheles cannot fulfill Dr. Faustus’ wishes and demands simply because of the sacrament and the fact that he was praising God.
Dr. Faustus’ quest for more knowledge is portrayed when he ask a book to give him details of the secrets of the universe. Faustus is able to see the beautiful nature of the creations of God, thus, he finds out that Mephistopheles has lied to him. This is also perceived as a deception of Dr Faustus. Appealing to Mephistopheles, Dr. Faustus accuses him of deception and his inability to enjoy the pleasures of life.
The magical powers do not amuse Faustus anymore and he starts regretting his past decision. At this moment a good and a bad angel appear before him and each of them starts to persuade the character to follow their ways. The good angel tries to persuade Faustus to return to God, saying that he could be forgiven and his soul could be redeemed. At the same time, the bad angel says that it is too late and Faustus’ soul cannot be regained. Dr. Faustus is again deceived at this juncture.
The development of the plot lines depicts Dr. Faustus to start repenting and call on the mercies of God, “Ah Christ my Savior! Seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul” (Marlowe 31) At this particular moment, Lucifer is again brought to the limelight as he gives commands to Dr. Faustus that he should not call the name of God since it would not have great impact on them. This makes Dr. Faustus to promise to never associate himself with God in future, and that he will never indulge himself in prayers.
Dr. Faustus wants to deepen his knowledge on nature and laws of life travelling all over the world and Mephistopheles makes his dream come true and provides him with such an opportunity. Immediately after this, the agreement he has signed of the 24 year contract elapses. This in turn forces Dr. Faustus to prepare a party for his subjects, the students.
The students go into a celebratory mood and talk about the beautiful nature of the ladies. Faustus speaks about Helen of Troy as the most beautiful woman, in his opinion. After the students have gone, the old man turns to Dr. Faustus to discuss his regrets. Again, he repents, only after he is threatened with death, and thereafter, decides to obey Lucifer. When only one hour is left before Faustus’ life comes to its end, he tries to prevent the inevitable.
He asks the sun and the time to stop for postponing the moment of truth. This also depicts his deception. He even wishes mountains would fall and destroy him so that he may not face the wrath of God. Trying to avoid the day of reckoning by all means, Faustus promises to return to God by praying and lifting his hands to Him though in reality he cannot keep his promises.
To end this essay on a sad deceptive and tragic note, a moment of reckoning comes and the truth dawns on Dr. Faustus at the moment when Lucifer comes to take up his soul. Faustus’ repentance becomes the main reason of his death, and he has been warned that he would die in case if he regrets his choice. Faustus’ loss of eternity was preconditioned with his fear of death and eventual doubts concerning his choice.
Lucifer has predicted that the moment of his repentance would become the last moment of his life (Kiessling 205). Faustus undergoes self-delusion when he believes that hell does not exist and the day of reckoning will never come. Moreover, he lied to himself when he believed that there was no mercy for him, otherwise, God would have pardoned him as He forgives all the sinners disregarding the nature of their sins.
Works Cited
Frey, Leonard. “Antithetical Balance in the Opening and Close of Doctor Faustus”. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Saint Louis University, Saint Louis. 2009.
Hamlin, William. Casting Doubt in Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. Studies in English Literature 1500-1900 (2001): 257-275. Print.
Kiessling, Nicolas. Doctor Faustus and the Sin of Demoniality . Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 15(1975): 205-211. Print.
Marlowe, Christopher. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus . Forgotten Books, 1970. Print.
Pinciss, Gerald. Marlowe’s Cambridge Years and the Writing of Doctor Faustus. Studies in English Literature 1993: 249. Print.
Ruickbie, Leo. Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician. The History Press 2009: 15. Print.