Doctor Faustus Essay

Doctor Faustus, a talented German scholar who belittles the limits of human being knowledge, believes that he has learned all that can be learned by conventional means. What is left for him, he thinks, but magic? He is offered a choice of Christian conscience by a good angel, and the travel plan to damnation by an evil angel. Two fellow scholars, Valdes and Cornelius, teach him the basic principle of black magic. Eventually, Faustus summons the hellion Mephistopheles and the terms of their pact are nurture upon. In return for his immortal railyardght, Faustus will be granted xxiv years of power, with Mephistopheles as his servant. In this play, the writer, Christopher Marlowe used symbolism through the play. symbolisation in general means the presentation of objects, moods and ideas through the medium of emblems or symbols. For example, When Faustus makes his pact with the irritate, he signs it with his own neckcloth. But as he goes to write, his simple eye thickens. That was a key moment in the play. Faustus wonders, What might the staying of my blood herald? / Is it unwilling I should write this bill? (2.1.62-63).He thinks since his blood is change and clotting it is close to type of sign. At this destine, Faustus believes his sticky blood is a symbol, a part of himself thats unwilling to give it all up for the devil and also that Lucifer insists on having the document written in blood. To him, this blood represents Faustuss person. If he has the blood, he has Faustus. So its a symbol to Lucifer, too. Without the blood, theres nothing physical to represent Faustuss someone. Then, at the end of the play, as he waits for death, Faustus cries out, One drop of blood will save me. O, my Christ. Here, again, blood is a symbol of the solid personChrist. Another example of symbolism that writer uses is when Faustus resolves to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for Mephistopheles, his decision to give it is not enough. Instead, Mephistopheles te lls him, thou must bequeath it solemnly/And write a deed of return with thine own blood/For the security craves Lucifer (2.1.333-35).This meant that Dr. Faustus has to sign over his soul in a written contact. Faustus does as Lucifer asks, which was writing a hale thats gives ownership of his soul to Lucifer in exchange for twenty-four years of having Mephistopheles around to boss. In legal terminology, this contact is called a deed of gift, It becomes the symbolof Faustuss decision to serve the devil and since some definitions of sin state it as just that the decision to serve the devil instead of God, it also becomes a symbol of sin more generally. The contract is terrifying because it was actually real. It was made of paper and blood, and Faustus and Mephistopheles can see it and hold it in their hands.So while Faustuss decision to serve the devil is not much more than an idea, this is an object that Lucifer can point to and say you belong to me. Faustuss decision is put into do cument defecate to symbolize just how difficult, if not impossible, it will be Faustus to take cover version even if he really wants to. In conclusion, the writer, Christopher Marlowe used symbolism to his utility which intensified the tragic appeal of this great drama.