Doctor Faustus essay - exploring the character of Mephostophilis
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Course
Unit 1 - Drama
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
Exam-style essay question: “Mephostophilis is a much more complex character than the stock medieval demon.”
In light of this comment, explore Marlow’s dramatic presentation of Mephostophilis in Doctor Faustus. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.
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“Mephostophilis is a much more complex character than the stock medieval demon.”
In light of this comment, explore Marlow’s dramatic presentation of Mephostophilis in Doctor
Faustus. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.
Mephostophilis is one of the main characters in Christopher Marlowe’s play, ‘Doctor Faustus’. He is
presented as an intriguing figure and opposes many stereotypes of a typical medieval demon. During the
Middle Ages, demons developed into a one-dimensional creature, grotesque and animalistic in
appearance, sent to cause misery and suffering to all of humankind. This idea of a demon remained in
the minds of those in the Elizabethan era. This image of a demon would have been what the audience
would have expected Mephostophilis to be like. However, Marlowe’s dramatic presentation of this
character is much more three-dimensional in appearance, intellect, and emotion. Hence,
Mephostophilis is a complex character as opposed to a stock medieval demon.
Firstly, Marlowe’s physical presentation of Mephostophilis allows the audience to see him as a complex
character. When he is first summoned, Mephostophilis’ appearance is similar to a stock medieval
demon. However, Faustus orders him to change his appearance as the demon is, “too ugly to attend on
[him].” The physical appearance of a demon had developed into one that was ugly, grotesque, and
animalistic during the Medieval Ages. The growth of Christianity and the renouncement of pagan
religions led to features present in pagan deities to be associated with demons, such as horns and
hooves. Faustus’ reaction to Mephostophilis’ appearance tells the reader that the demon fits into this
stereotypical image – and this is also what the Elizabethan audience would have expected of the demon.
Mephostophilis then changes his form into one that is more humanoid as Faustus demands him to. This
has two opposing effects on Faustus and the audience. Due to his change in appearance, Faustus forgets
Mephostophilis’ true nature, the reality of the ugliness of hell, and the sin he is committing. However,
while this allows Faustus to be more close-minded towards Mephostophilis’ character, the audience is
allowed to be more open-minded towards Mephostophilis’ complex nature. It would be easier for the
audience to relinquish the stereotypes associated with medieval demons if they were faced with a
demon bearing a human visage; thus, the audience could look past the idea of a stereotypical medieval
demon and see Mephostophilis for the complex and three-dimensional character that he is presented to
be.
Secondly, Mephostophilis is presented as complex due to his way of thinking. When Faustus asks
Mephostophilis why he is not currently in hell, he replies that he is in hell. He explains, “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 depriv’d of everlasting bliss?” This line of thought is forward thinking for the
Elizabethan era, let alone as a line of thought originating from a demon. Mephostophilis is stating that
hell is a state of mind and not a physical place as was the common belief. He says he is, “tormented with
ten thousand hells,” which is hyperbolic and portrays how ever-present and constant this miserable
state of mind is. The demon is in hell because he has seen God and been deprived of His presence. This
proves Mephostophilis to be complex and intriguing; though he is a demon, he covets the presence of
God, and His absence causes him utter misery and is damnation itself.
Similarly, Marlowe presentation of Mephostophilis is complex as the character can feel pain and
suffering despite being a demon. Faustus enquires as to why Lucifer desires so many souls in hell, and
Mephostophilis states, “Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.” He says it is a comfort to the
miserable to have companions in their misery. This continues the intriguing declaration that demons are
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