I actually like
Doctor Faustus as a character. I found him to be a very relatable character in
certain aspects. He was relatable in how he knew what he wanted and went about
different ways to get it. In the beginning he tried to get what he wanted with
education and after he was finished with that, and still didn’t have what he
wanted he turned to black magic. He is also relatable in the way that he would
use his power first on himself and then on others, specifically students.
I don’t think
that he is a selfish person or that he deserved what happens to him. I think
this because, he seems so confused to me. The fact that he is not quick to use
Mephostophilis power to get all of the riches that he wants, but instead asks
questions about life shows that he still isn’t sure that he has made the right
choice. Also it seems that he gives himself many pep talks before he signs the
deal and is still not sure that he has made the right decision, as can be seen
by the good and bad angel showing up.
I also don’t
think that Faustus is taking the easy way out. He has accomplished so much and
not found satisfaction in any of that, so to him this would seem like a logical
jump. Black magic seems like the only thing left that can give him what he
wants. It would also seem to me that Faustus just needs to figure out what he
actually wants in life. I say this because, he talks about wanting riches and
exotic fruits, but with all of his knowledge and curing the plague I would
think that he has enough money and knowledge to go and acquire riches and
travel so that he can have exotic fruits. Maybe he’s just lazy. I don’t know.
I think that he
was mainly tricked, not by Mephostophilis, but by himself. I think that all he
needed was someone to talk to. At least at this point in the book, I don’t
think that he wants all of the riches he talks about, he just wants answers to
his questions, answers that education couldn’t tell him. As we talked about in
class, no one really talks about Faustus, so I assume that he doesn’t really
have any friends. I think that had Faustus had friends he might not have ended
up where he was.
I like the way you say he hasn't taken the easy way out. I hadn't thought of it that way, but it makes sense. He has worked so hard for what he wanted just to be left unsatisfied in the end. Granted satisfaction would come from him being recognized for his greatness, he still tried to gain that recognition the right way first. Also the way he doubts himself makes him much more relatable. No matter what anyone says they have doubted themselves at some point. This is on a slightly larger scale, I mean his soul? or where to go to dinner? are just a little different. I think this is a cool perspective though because in my head right away I thought "This guy is an idiot. who sells their soul directly to the devil and still doubts heaven and hell?". While I still kind of feel this way I like the way you put it that everyone has doubts and that he really didn't take the easy way out because it helps to give me a better opinion towards him.
ReplyDeleteFaustus being a character that I can relate to as a human with human emotions, and Faustus being a character that I like (which I don't) are two different things. You mention him being confused, which is an interesting point - I agree that he does, at times, seem confused about religion in general and about what he wants out of his life. However, I disagree that he isn't taking an easy way out - I don't really think it's a matter of taking the easy way out, but rather, as you touched on, his lack of satisfaction with what he has. I think Faustus lacks humility and gratitude, which would enable him to be satisfied with his accomplishments, and with applying his knowledge and skills to aiding others in what ways he can.
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