Knowledge And Power In Doctor Faustus - 1116 Words

Knowledge and Power in The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus and The Bloody Chamber Throughout literature, television and film you could name countless examples of different wordings of the aphorism ‘Knowledge is power’. This idea is popularly attributed to Francis Bacon’s Meditationes Sacrae, in which the phrase ipsa scientia potestas est, or â€Å"knowledge itself is power† appears. However, five years before this was first written, this concept was a belief of the titular character in Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, with knowledge and power serving as key themes. Another text which shares these themes is Angela Carter’s collection of subversive fairy tales, The†¦show more content†¦Faustus has gained an almost unlimited knowledge of magic, and therefore the ability to do almost anything he could imagine. However, he quickly ends up performing cheap tricks for his livelihood. As Stapleton and Scott aptly summarise: â€Å"In the opening scene, the hero aims for nothing less than power over life and death. But by Act 4 he winds up fetching grapes for a pregnant woman, whose big belly shows that she has more power to create life than he does. He calls for knowledge of God’s secrets that â€Å"stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man,† but in the end he accepts a career of staging entertainment for mere popes, emperors and dukes.† (M.L. Stapleton , and Sarah K. Scott) Faustus has the knowledge to control life and death, but when asked to raise Alexander the Great and his paramour he admits that he cannot raise â€Å"the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust†, only â€Å"such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour†. As Faustus cannot raise true-to-life people as the pregnant woman can, he must be therefore less powerful than her, even though Faustus is far more knowledgeable in necromancy than any other person. Rutter goes onto further criticise Faustus’s lack of power: â€Å"Furthermore, who is to say whether the spirits who appear genuinely look like Alexander and his paramour? Neither Faustus norShow MoreRelatedDoctor Faustus978 Words   |  4 PagesPoor Faustus believes it is he who has called upon the demon Mephistopheles and it is his tongue that orders the servant of hell, yet he could not be any more mistaken. In reality, Faustus is the one with strings attached to him and it is Lucifer, Mephistopheles, and the Evil Angel playing the role of the puppeteer. Nevertheless, Faustus remains a student to the ideology of Christianity throughout his adventures, even amongst the bleakest of hours. God never leaves the side of John Faustus, as HeRead MoreEssay on The Five Knowledges of Dr. Faustus792 Words   |  4 PagesChristopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus is a play that questions both renaissance and medieval ideas. The character of Doctor Faustus is introduced as a renaissance man with degrees in various subjects and an abundance of knowledge fr om his high education. Unfortunately for him, this knowledge is not sufficient and his cravings for higher knowledge and power soon corrupt his mind and lead him to his ill-fated end. The opening soliloquy introduces Doctor Faustuss areas of knowledge as debate, healthRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Christopher Marlowe s Doctor Faustus1416 Words   |  6 Pagessex or power), or some other kind of motivational force? 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O, WhatRead MoreThe Tragic Downfall of Faustus in Tragical Histor of Doctor Faustus921 Words   |  4 PagesThe Tragic Downfall of Faustus in Tragical Histor of Doctor Faustus Christopher Marlowe’s Tragical History of Doctor Faustus is about a man who seeks power that comes from knowledge beyond the human realm. Throughout the story, the seven deadly sins are shown and have an impact on Dr. Faustus during his search for ultimate power. However, it is one of these vices of the seven deadly sins that plays a particular and key role in his demise. Pride, creates Dr. Faustus’ inability to repent, Read MoreDoctor Faustus Analysis1089 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of Drama Doctor Faustus The play Doctor Faustus represents the conflict between good and evil inside everyone and how people can be influenced into doing things through religion and spiritual beliefs. This play illustrates the influences that people can have when met with promises of wealth, power and ultimate knowledge. Faustus is torn throughout the play on whether to repent and turn towards God or to sell his soul and indulge in earthly pleasures. Just like today, people can useRead MoreLiterature Is The Expression Of The Thoughts Of Society941 Words   |  4 Pagesrealization of literature. By understanding the qualities of a society, the reader is able to better comprehend the themes and importance in literature. For example, there was a huge conflict over the power of knowledge between Medieval and Renaissance times, at this time Christopher Marlowe concocted Doctor Faustus. Subsequently Moliere wrote The Misanthrope. The play satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society. Lastly, Osca r Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest shows the satire and significanceRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1246 Words   |  5 Pagesis an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished† (Proverbs 16:5). Consequently, Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and Shakespeare’s Macbeth are two stories that clearly depict the hubristic behavior that is condemned by the Christian church since both focus on human pride and thirst for power. Macbeth portrays more hubristic behavior than Doctor Faustus, although Doctor Faustus initially seems to be more hubristic than Macbeth. Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins by showing Macbeth as a heroicRead MoreEssay about The Deeper Meaning of Christopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus1168 Words   |  5 PagesThe Deeper Meaning of Christopher Marlowes Doctor Faustus  Ã‚   I do not agree with the frequently repeated comment that Doctor Faustus is an anti-intellectualist play that preaches that curiosity is dangerous. It is all too easy to see Faustus as the scholar, seeking knowledge, and his desire for knowledge that leads to his downfall. To confine the play to something so narrow is to ignore the deeper meaning behind the play. I believe that this deeper meaning is more important than the superficial