Doctor Faustus : Quotations
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.
Quotations
“A sound magician is a mighty god.”
Faustus says this. This line shows that Faustus wants to be powerful like God. He is not satisfied with his knowledge. He wants more knowledge and power. This is his pride and high ambition, his tragic flaw.
“O, Faustus, lay that damned book aside.”
The Good Angel tells Faustus to leave magic and pray to God. But Faustus ignores this warning and chooses necromancy.
“Repent, yet God will pity thee.”
This is another warning by the Good Angel. He tells Faustus to repent for his sin. But Faustus does not repent. He is too busy with power and pleasure.
“Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.
This line shows Faustus’s sin. When Faustus is worried about his damnation, he asks for fun. He asks Mephistophilis to bring Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in history. Instead of repenting, Faustus is busy with lust and power.
“Was this the face that launched a thousand ships
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?”
This is a very famous line from this play. Here, Faustus is amazed by seeing the beauty of Helen. He expresses his wonder by saying that Helen’s beauty started the Trojan War.
“Then call for mercy, and avoid despair.”
An Old Man comes and tells Faustus to repent and avoid despair. But Faustus thinks his sin cannot be pardoned. Moreover, he fears Lucifer will tear him into pieces if he repents to God. This is another mistake by Faustus.
“The serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not Faustus.”
This line captures Faustus’s despair as well as his inner conflict. This is his mistake because he thinks that God will not forgive him.
“Mountains and hills, come, come, and fall on me
And hide me from the heavy wrath of God!”
This line reveals Faustus’s fear. As his time runs out, Faustus is terrified. He knows he has defied God and wasted his life. Now, he is bound to hell.
“I’ll burn my books—ah, Mephastophilis!”
Here, Faustus is terrified and desperate with fear in his final moments. But it is too late for Faustus. He is doomed.
“Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight.”
The Chorus says that Faustus was like a branch that could have grown straight and strong, but it was cut off early. Faustus had great potential. But his pride and high ambition destroyed him.