{~} A Compilation of Short Works

By Denali J. Lathrop

This is a compilation of essays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and song lyrics written by Denali J. Lathrop.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781329703209

Book preview

{~}

A Compilation

of Simple Works

By Denali J. Lathrop

For:

My twin/child that is not mine. #sisters

Essays

{~}

Dr. Faustus’ Transformation Revealed Through Soliloquies

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Dr. Faustus, a fictitious character brought to life by Christopher Marlowe, reveals a life of desire, choices, and inner battles. Although Faustus appears prideful and intelligent in his first soliloquy, his character changes and in his final soliloquy he appears controlled and without an understanding of what he truly wants. Within his first soliloquy he shows a thirst for knowledge, fame, and fortune. Faustus expresses his willingness to sell his soul to the devil. He also exemplifies arrogance. However, by the end of the play we see a lack of inner strength, a loss of agency, and we see Faustus actually implementing an understanding of morality.

In Faustus’ first soliloquy he showcases a thirst for knowledge, fame, and fortune. "Then read no more; thou hast attain'd that9 end:  A greater subject fitteth Faustus' wit: Bid Economy10 farewell, and11 Galen come, Seeing, Ubi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit medicus: Be a physician, Faustus; heap up gold." (1.1, 10-13). This shows that Faustus has undertaken quite a bit of reading and knowledge already and that he has a desire to learn more. He is, afterall, a doctor. Therefore, he has made a commitment to knowledge and sharing that knowledge to benefit others.

Arrogance and sureness of self are characteristics that adequately describe Faustus in his first soliloquy.. "Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. Couldst12 thou make men13 to live eternally, Or, being dead, raise them to life again, Then this profession were to be esteem'd. (1.1, 22-25). Although he acknowledges his own mortality, he desires fame as one that can bring about immortality, that no one else has been able to do. As he learns, his metamorphosis starts. His instant success as a magician blinds him to what he has done and to what he is continuing to do" (Engberg 3). Growth is the desire, but in Faustus’ case his desired end result is ultimately unattainable.

Because of his desire for knowledge, fame, and fortune, Faustus is willing to give his mortal soul to Lucifer. In return, Faustus will receive cosmic powers. Be a physician, Faustus; heap up gold, And be eterniz'd for some wondrous cure: Summum bonum medicinae sanitas, The end of physic is our body's health. Why, Faustus, hast thou not attain'd that end? Is not thy common talk found aphorisms? (1.1, 13-18). Immortal life is appealing to most, but to Faustus it is an obsession and it is more than just a status symbol. One may say that the pursuit of immortality was not just the greatest desire of Faustus’ life but it would also be the reason why people talked about him after he left their presence. Because he would not just want immortality, he would want people to talk about him and esteem him because he had done the impossible, although the price he paid would take him away and he would never hear these people talk of him in high regard.

Immortal life is something that few others have, which makes his desire for it greater. Faustus deliberately ignores the attendant promise of eternal life, thereby resorting to the tricks of facile disputation--half-truths and false premises (Okerlund 261) which perhaps is the turning point. As such he starts questioning his decision and starts contemplating repentance and turning towards Christ for redemption.

In his final soliloquy, Faustus shows a lack of inner strength, whereas at the beginning of his story he seems very sure of himself, to a point of arrogance. Mountains and hills, come, come, and fall on me, And hide me from the heavy wrath of God! (5.2, 19-20). Throughout his story Faustus battles with himself because he knows that at the end of 24 years the devil will claim his and his soul. As this time draws nearer, Faustus reflects upon what has happened and what he has learned.

Perhaps a reason for his lack of inner strength may be the realness of his damnation creeping upon him. Damnation is ever present throughout the play and even shows a state of diremption which is simultaneously experiencing privation (Halpern 476). This separation of or breaking of Faustus’ life in to two part must be a harsh realization as he knows that the happy-go-likely part of his life that he controlled is about to end. However, during that time he did not care for the essentials of his life, although they were at his fingertips. He is literally near the end of his time for making decisions and in that moment starts contemplating his need for redemption.

In the end, Faustus has changed. This is evident because he constantly questions whether or not he should repent for selling his soul to Lucifer. Throughout the course of this story, we see Faustus lose his agency and desire to learn. Earth, gape! O, no, it will not harbour me! You stars that reign'd at my nativity, Whose influence hath alotted death and hell, Now draw up Faustus, like a foggy mist, Into the entrails of yon labouring clouds, That, when you vomit forth into the air, My limbs may issue from your smoky mouths, So that my soul may but ascend to heaven! (5.2, 23-30). Even in his final moments, Faustus tries to decide which path to take: going in fully with Lucifer or turning to Christ through repentance. In the end, he appears to be controlled, not only by Lucifer, but also by morality, which was not evident in the beginning.

Faustus’ morality is not evident in his first soliloquy. However, in his final soliloquy he states, Curs'd be the parents that engender'd me! No, Faustus, curse thyself, curse Lucifer That hath depriv'd thee of the joys of heaven. (5.2, 47-49). This experience has changed Faustus. He is now acknowledging that for some things the blame lies with oneself, not others. He also explores the need for savior or the choice to not accept a savior. In the end it appears that his only freedom is to embrace his own damnation (Birringer 95). This is the sad reality that Faustus sees and illustrates in his final soliloquy as he battles with himself before ultimately deciding that damnation is indeed how his life must end.

Although Faustus appears prideful and intelligent