Marlowe - The true child of Renaissance or Faustus - A Renaissance man

The term "Renaissance" signifies a revival or rebirth of classical art, literature, and thought, marking a profound transformation in human understanding during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. This period not only renewed interest in classical heritage but also revitalized human thought after the medieval era, igniting an insatiable desire for knowledge, wealth, power, adventure, and beauty.

Christopher Marlowe's protagonist, Faustus, epitomizes the Renaissance man. He is courageous, ambitious, and intellectually curious, yet remains unfulfilled despite his extensive knowledge and experience. His longing for ultimate understanding drives him to exclaim, "Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man." Faustus seeks to transcend human limitations and dominate the universe, turning to necromancy and making a pact with Lucifer for twenty-four years of supernatural power.

In true Machiavellian fashion, Faustus rejects God and challenges religious conventions, revealing his materialistic ambitions and thirst for enlightenment:

"O, what a world of profit and delight,

Of power, of honour, of omnipotence,

Is promised to the studious artisan!

All things that move between the quiet poles

Shall be at my command."

Like a genuine Renaissance figure, Faustus embarks on journeys to distant lands with the aid of his servant, Mephistophilis, driven by a quest for cosmic knowledge, as he inquires:

"First, will I question with thee about hell,

Tell me where is the place that men call hell?"

His appreciation for beauty and sensual pleasure further illustrates Renaissance ideals. Faustus desires a beautiful German maid as his companion, declaring:

"For I am wanton and lascivious

And cannot live without a wife."

As his pact nears its end, Faustus yearns for Helen of Troy, declaring his desire to find paradise in her beauty. His admiration for Helen reflects the Renaissance celebration of classical aesthetics:

"Was this the face that launched a thousand ships?

And burnt the topless tower of Ilium?"

Individuality is another hallmark of the Renaissance, and Faustus exemplifies this through his autonomous decision to pursue necromancy. Following the guidance of magicians Valdes and Cornelius, he invokes spirits alone, demonstrating his determination to fulfill his desires at any cost, even sacrificing his soul:

"Faustus gives to thee his soul."

Throughout the play, Faustus's dominant personality underscores his individualism, as he defies his inner doubts and continues his pact with Mephistophilis. His quest for knowledge and autonomy reflects a broader Renaissance spirit that sought to liberate the human mind from the constraints of religious dogma and feudalism. Despite his extensive knowledge, Faustus displays an arrogant pride as he boldly challenges the intellectual limitations imposed by society:

"Philosophy is odious and obscure,

Both law and physic are for petty wits;

Divinity is basest of the three,

Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible and vile;

'Tis magic, magic, that hath ravished me."

Marlowe’s "Doctor Faustus" is rich with classical references, highlighting Faustus's admiration for ancient literature. He frequently invokes figures from the past, as seen in his line:

"Have I not made blind Homer sing to me

Of Alexander's love and Oenon's death?"

In summary, Doctor Faustus embodies the essence of the Renaissance spirit. His insatiable thirst for knowledge and power ultimately leads a once-great scholar to become enslaved by illusions, reflecting the complexities and conflicts of his age.