This is a short essay presenting how the theme of religion is presented within Christopher Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus.’
*Includes contextual references*
Display of religion within Christopher Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus.’
Within Christopher Marlowe’s play, Doctor Faustus, religion is criticised negatively to convey the
idea and motives behind Faustus’ decision of selling his soul to the devil, Lucifer for eternal
damnation. A critic once stated that Faustus used to be a moral, devout man, who let envy and
greed lead him to sin.
Religion, specifically Christianity is depicted in a negative light throughout the play as Faustus
considers repentance from God, but always turns back to necromancy. The quote ‘despair in God,
trust in Beelzebub’ conveys the idea that love from God is temporary however trust from the devils
is permanent and fixed, this portrays a negative light on religion, as it is shown throughout the play
as a temporary thought or fix opposed to a change in lifestyle. This may be seen as the reasoning
behind why Faustus doesn’t give turning to religion a-lot of time and thought as through the cruel
words of the Bad Angel, which criticises the words of Christ and God throughout the play alongside if
he does turn to religion his hopes of necromancy and unlimited power and wealth for 24 years will
be diminished which will unlikely happen due to his strong hubris (excessive pride) which is led by
his hamartia.
Another example of religion being criticised is the tricks played on the Pope by Faustus and
Mephistopheles, as it is conveyed in the play as mockery of the Catholicism church, as it would have
been viewed as comedic by the mostly Protestant, Elizabethan audience at the time. This may be
said to reflect Marlowe's own ideas surrounding religion, as he was said to be an atheist but
questioned what God actually brought to people’s lives. This may be similar as Faustus himself
believed in God, however felt that necromancy and black magic provided him with more excitement,
fuelling his excessive hubris.
However, some people may argue that as Faustus is about to sell his soul and be damned in hell, his
calls out to the ‘almighty God’ may depict religion in a positive light, highlighting that religion always
offers a way out. Traditionally is someone like Faustus is about to be damned, they would have been
able to repent and turn away from being damned, however it is said by a critic that ‘Marlowe
ignored the path of religion for great impact and effect on the audience.’ So, it may be viewed that if
someone turns their back on religion like Faustus regularly did within the play, they would not have
the right morals of a religious person, as Faustus stills presents great respect for the devil ‘Forgive
me lucifer’ which may be the reasoning of why Marlowe didn’t allow Faustus to repent.
The inclusion of the misunderstanding of the Testament ‘the result of sin is death’ may criticise
religion as without the inclusion of ‘God’s forgiveness for those who confess which may have gone
against morals and thoughts at the time of the renaissance period where more people where ging
against traditional books and texts, so may of lead the Elizabethan audience to start to think about
repenting against religion and taking a more rebellious stance on life, this is also shown when
Mephistopheles describes that ‘hell is everywhere that heaven isn’t’ it may be seen that religion is
criticised as being less superior and important to the art of necromancy.
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