Is Faustus’s damnation justified? Discuss.

Answer

Is Faustus’s damnation justified? Discuss.

“Doctor Faustus” (1604) is a masterpiece written by Christopher Marlowe (1564-93) in the late 16th century. It is considered a religious play due to its exploration of themes related to religion, morality, and the consequences of human ambition. The question of whether Faustus’s damnation is justified is a complex and debated factor in Christopher Marlowe’s play “Doctor Faustus.” The answer often depends on one’s interpretation of the themes and moral lessons presented in the play. Let us explore some perspectives on this term. 

Consequences of Faustus’s Actions: We can interpret that Faustus’s damnation is justified as a direct consequence of his actions. He willingly enters into the kingdom of the devil, Mephistophilis, and engages in dark magic. According to Faustus,

A sound magician is a mighty god.

It highlights his aspiration to attain God-like power through his mastery of magic.

In this case, he rejects the traditional morality. From this perspective, Faustus’s choices are a violation of ethical norms. His damnation serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of surrendering to the devil. It leaves virtuous principles. Mephistophilis says,

I am a servant to great Lucifer

And may not follow thee without his leave.

Pride or Hubris and the Pursuit of Knowledge: The most important characteristic in Faustus’s character is hubris¹ or excessive pride. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and power leads him to make a deal with the devil. The argument here is that Faustus’s damnation is a consequence of his unquenchable desire and violation of divine laws. In this interpretation, his story serves as a warning tale against the dangers of uncontrolled ambition. The Good Angel tries to save him, but he never responds. The Good Angel says,

Faustus, repent; yet God will pity thee

Moral Corruption: Faustus’s moral corruption worsens as the play progresses. Initially seeking knowledge, he gradually surrenders to selfish pursuits, such as playing pranks on the Pope and summoning Helen of Troy. His famous line, 

Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships

And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?

It shows his shift from scholarly ambitions to earthly pleasures. This moral decay supports the argument that he deserved damnation.

Lack of True Repentance: True repentance requires sincere remorse and a desire to change. Faustus expresses regret but never truly repents. In his final soliloquy, he laments, 

O, I’ll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down?

Faustus does not genuinely seek forgiveness. Instead, he remains unmoved in his upcoming doom. He is unable to turn to God. His superficial remorse lacks the depth necessary for redemption. It justifies his damnation.

The Role of Justice: The concept of divine justice is central to Faustus’s fate. According to the moral framework of the play, sin must be punished. Faustus’s crimes are severe. His pact with the devil, his rejection of God, and his misuse of knowledge all demand retribution. The Chorus concludes the play with a moral lesson: 

“Faustus is gone: regard his hellish fall, 

Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise 

Only to wonder at unlawful things” (Epilogue).

This supports the idea that Faustus’s damnation serves as a warning tale about the consequences of ambition and violation of divine order.

In termination, the justification of Faustus’s damnation varies from person to person. It depends on the lens of one’s interpretation of the play. It is viewed as a cautionary tale against moral violations. Each perspective contributes to the richness and complexity of Marlowe’s work.