Symbols in Marlowe’s “Faustus” and Milton’s “Paradise Lost”

Introduction

It is hard to disagree that, to understand most literary works, it is vital to pay attention to different levels of interpretation. Generally, a literary piece’s main ideas are expressed directly, and additional efforts are not required from the audience to perceive the writer’s message. However, when the author wants to convey a more delicate or sacral meaning or refer to other literary works, religious, or historical concepts, they can use various literary devices. In this case, the message is only received by the most attentive readers. In The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe and Book IX of Paradise Lost by John Milton, there are numerous symbols that take these writings to another level. The purpose of the paper is to compare the use of symbolic roles of blood in the former and the wreath as the symbol of love and admiration in the latter.

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus: Symbolic Roles of Blood

As mentioned earlier, the play is filled with different literary devices, including many symbols that play a great role in interpreting the writing. One such important element is the blood, which is mentioned throughout the play. Overall, one may say the blood is a symbol of the presence of supernatural and religious forces in the play, as well as sin, redemption, omen, and even revolt. All these symbolic roles are explored in detail in the following paragraphs.

The first scene to analyze is when Faustus wants to sign the contract and sell his soul to the devil. Having to sign with his blood, Faustus is surprised to see it congealed: his body revolts against such a sin (Ornstein 1380). Although he understands that this is most likely an omen of his actions being wrong, Faustus proceeds:

What might the staying of my blood portend?
Is it unwilling I should write this bill?
Why streams it not, that I may write afresh?
FAUSTUS GIVES TO THEE HIS SOUL: ah, there it stay’d!
Why shouldst thou not? (Marlowe)

The symbolic role of blood here is to prevent the scholar from selling his soul and give him an opportunity to avoid this sin. Another scene to explore is the last night of Faustus when he sees the blood of Christ flowing through the air and being the symbol of repentance and redemption because, according to the religion, “Christ redeemed mankind by spilling his own blood on the mountain of Golgotha” (Tomić 22). Therefore, whenever blood appears in the play, it signifies a chance for Faustus to reconsider his actions and repent.

Book IX of Paradise Lost: Wreath as the Symbol of Love and Faith

Further, the epic poem by John Milton also includes numerous elements that have symbolic roles. For example, in Book IX, a wreath of flowers that Adam is willing to give Eve symbolizes his innocent, pure, and sincere feelings (Milton, lines 838-842). Adam realizes that he loves Eve, values her, and believes in her, which is why this wreath symbolizes the true concept of marriage and relationships:

Adam the while
Waiting desirous her return, had wove
Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne
Her Tresses, and her rural labours crown,
As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen. (Milton, lines 838-842)

Nevertheless, the wreath also becomes a symbol of broken dreams, fading feelings, and disappointment. When Adam learns about Eve’s sin, the wreath falls from his arms, symbolizing the disappearing concept of relationships, love, marriage, and faith.

Comparing the Use of Symbolism

Further, it is possible to compare and contrast how these two different symbols are used by the authors. First, one may notice that the meaning of the blood in Marlowe’s play and the wreath in Milton’s epic poem are colossal. Without them, the writers would not be able to convey such a deep meaning and indicate the changing atmosphere of the story or the negativity of the events. Both blood (redemption and sin) and wreath (faith) have religious meanings (Lewalski). Another similar trait of these symbols is that these common and almost ordinary elements are given these symbolic roles. Blood and flower wreaths are familiar to all readers, and they are unlikely to think about the religious or deep meanings of these elements.

As for contrasting Marlowe’s and Milton’s approaches to symbolism, it is crucial to notice the nature of the message they convey. Blood is always seen by Faustus, and the character even manages to understand the omen and realize that this is indeed a sign for him. At the same time, the wreath, and especially its falling, is intended for the interpretation of the audience rather than for Adam and Eve (Carnes 523). Surely, Adam places his own meaning in the flower wreath, but it is for the readers to learn about the feeling of this character. Finally, while blood is mentioned often in the writing, the wreath appears only two times, but these symbols are equal in their power and significance.

Conclusion

To draw a conclusion, one may say that the analyzed symbols indeed play a great role in the two literary works. Marlowe uses blood to inform both Faustus and the readers about the nature of his actions and the opportunity for redemption. Milton gives Adam a wreath to show the audience his feelings for Eve, as well as the following ‘death’ of his love and faith. These symbols have several noticeable differences and similarities but both indicate that this literary device is a powerful tool that makes a writing’s message deeper.

Works Cited

Carnes, Valerie. “Time and Language in Milton’s Paradise Lost.” ELH, vol. 37, no. 4, 1970, pp. 517-539.

Lewalski, Barbara Kiefer. “Structure and the Symbolism of Vision in Michael’s Prophecy, Paradise Lost, Books XI-XII.” Philological Quarterly, vol. 42, no. 1, 1963.

Marlowe, Christopher. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. 2009. Gutenberg EBook. Web.

Milton, John. “Book IX. The Argument.”Paradise Lost, edited by Thomas H. Luxon. Trustees of Dartmouth College.Web.

Ornstein, Robert. “Marlowe and God: The Tragic Theology of Dr. Faustus.” Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vol. 83, no. 5, 1968, pp. 1378–1385.

Tomić, Borna. The Occult Theory in the Elizabethan Age and Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. 2022. University of Pula, PhD dissertation.