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
Delineate the character of Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero.
Or, Discuss Doctor Faustus as a tragic hero.
Or, Is Faustus’s damnation justified? Discuss.
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 defies God and chooses necromancy. Faustus faces damnation for his pride and high ambition. Doctor Faustus 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 who 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, he 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. It means 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. He wants more knowledge and power. He wants to be like God and control the world. So, he defies God and chooses necromancy. He says:
“A sound magician is a mighty god.”
This pride is also known as Hubris. 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
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