Conflict and Tension in Dr. Faustus Essay

Doctor Faustus a play written by the well-known writer Christopher Marlowe is written in a grandiose and tragic, with occasional moments of low comedy under the idea of a few certain themes; Sin, Redemption and Damnation; Power as a corrupting influence; and the divided nature of man. Contrasting to the tension created within the play, with the issue of Faustus selling his soul to Lucifer and of the good and bad angel. The effectiveness of characterisation within the play, especially Doctor Faustus shown in Marlowes writing helps play a role in the themes and by creating tension in the play.

Marlowe characterises Faustus as an exceedingly ambitious man, even in relation to what is considered ambitious by people in todays society. In the prologue, The Chorus sums up Faustus background and early life, emphasizing his ordinary background and academic success. It seems that Faustus intellect made him become proud and this fired up his ambition. When Marlowe presents Faustus in scene one, Faustus methodically turns away from great authors and classically intellectual subjects, such as medicine and law because they hold little attraction to him,

A greater subject fitteth Faustus wit.

The above quote shows how Marlowe elevates Faustus above taking up an intellectual pursuit that would be highly esteemed by the Elizabethans. Another sign that Faustus holds himself in high regard is that he refers to himself in the third person, also shown in the above quote. Faustus discusses beliefs that he will no longer hold and describes what he wants to achieve in his opening soliloquy.

Faustus is seen as blasphemous in the opening speech, implying that he would only be a doctor if he could be equal to God,

Couldst thou make men live eternally

Or, being dead raise them to life again,

Then this profession were to be esteemed.

This is made more obvious when Faustus lastly says,

A sound magician is a mighty god.

Marlowe portrays Faustus motive as being over-ambitious by his turning to magic, which is a much more sinister and much less conventional pursuit than others that he had been discussing previously. Faustus hopes that magic will make him omnipotent and god-like.

There is little evidence to suggest that Marlowe himself wanted power over others, but his rise in society from a shoemakers son to a scholar at Cambridge University and later, a spy, was extremely rare at the time. Marlowe did not lead a normal Elizabethan life; in fact, one could say that it was similar to fiction. The over-ambitious part of Marlowes personality is reflected in Faustus and the theme of the play because it seems Marlowe must have wanted success in his life, to over-reach his set path in life.

It becomes clearer as the play continues that Faustus is a person in need of power when in scene 3 he discusses the deal with a devil, Mephistophilis, concerning the selling of his soul to the Devil in return for earthly power. When Faustus makes the contract, it seems as if he is not thinking ahead as his attitude is carefree. He possibly does not believe in Hell, or that he has a soul, or about the reality of the bargain. This illustrates the strong connection to the theme of power as a corruption influence and the divided nature of man. His attitude at this point can be shown by the following phrase,

If I had as many souls as there be stars,

Id give them all for Mephistophilis.

Faustus ambition for power and lack of foresight are what doom him later on in play which Marlowe uses to create a tragic or ironic tension. Arguably, it can be said to have caused the downfall of Marlowe himself. His drive to succeed may have made other people envious and resentful. In Dr. Faustus, other characters are probably envious of Faustus too. In the later scenes, we learn that Robin and Ralph have stolen one of Faustus books and plan to use it to seduce a woman. They must have been jealous of Faustus power and his magical aptitude; however, it is not the case that these characters later on in the play murder him.

Faustus is determined and enjoys his newfound power until the end of the play, despite being warned of the reality of his empty bargain by the Old Man and by the Good Angel throughout the play. The Old Man says,

Ambitious fiends, see how the heavens smiles

At your repulse, and laughs your state to scorn.

Hence hell, for hence I fly unto God.