Discuss Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero
Doctor Faustus is a notable literary work by Christopher Marlowe. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Doctor Faustus.
Answer
Discuss the character of Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero.
A tragic hero is someone who is highly respected. He faces downfall due to a tragic flaw or his own mistakes. Christopher Marlowe’s (1564-1593) play “Doctor Faustus” (written in 1592 or 1593) tells the story of Faustus who wants unlimited knowledge and power. He pays a heavy price for his pride and high ambition. Doctor Faustus is a tragic hero because he has many qualities that fit the idea of a tragic hero in literature. Here we will discuss Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero.
Highly Respected Scholar: A tragic hero is a highly respected figure. Doctor Faustus is a brilliant scholar. He is highly respected. He is a master of logic, medicine, law, and religion. He could have used his talents to do good or serve God. However, Faustus is not satisfied with his knowledge. He wants to learn magic so that he can rule the world. Faustus’s intelligence and ambition make him a respected figure at the beginning.
Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): The most important characteristic of a tragic hero is a tragic flaw: a serious weakness or mistake that causes his downfall. Faustus’s tragic flaw is his pride and high ambition. He is not happy with what he knows and wants more. He wants to be like God and control the world. He says:
A sound magician is a mighty god.
This pride, also known as Hubris, leads him to make a dangerous choice. Instead of using his intelligence for good things, he chooses to learn necromancy. He makes a deal with Lucifer. He sells his soul in exchange for 24 years of unlimited power and wealth. This tragic flaw leads to his downfall.
Bad Choices and Reversal of Fate (Peripeteia): A tragic hero is not just unlucky—he makes bad choices. Faustus is warned many times. The Good Angel tells him to leave magic and pray to God:
O, Faustus, lay that damned book aside.
An old man in the play tells him to repent before it is too late. Even Mephistopheles, the devil who serves him, warns him that hell is real and full of suffering. Faustus ignores all these warnings. His choice to continue the path of satan brings his tragic end. From a respected scholar, he becomes a cursed magician.
Recognition of Mistakes (Anagnorisis): A tragic hero realizes his mistake too late. Faustus enjoys his magical powers: he plays tricks on people, entertains kings, and summons the spirit of Helen for his lustful desire. At the end, Faustus finally understands his mistake. He realizes he has been fooled by the devil and wasted his life. He is terrified of hell, but it is too late. In extreme fear, he says:
Mountains and hills, come, come, and fall on me
And hide me from the heavy wrath of God!
The clock strikes midnight, and devils drag him to hell. Faustus’s fear and regret in the last scene show his realization of his mistakes.
Catharsis: Catharsis is the massive suffering of the tragic hero that arouses pity and fear among the audience. As midnight comes, Faustus begs for more time. He cries out for God’s help, but the devils come to take him away. This moment makes us feel pity and fear. His fear and regret remind us that even a great scholar like Faustus can fall.
In conclusion, Doctor Faustus is a perfect example of a tragic hero. He starts as a great scholar but falls because of his pride and greed for power. He makes bad choices, ignores all warnings, and realizes his mistake too late. Faustus’s final realization and suffering make him a truly tragic figure. His story teaches us an important lesson: too much ambition without wisdom can destroy a person.