Critical Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, this

Critical Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, this

Critical Analysis: Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus Illegitimate power is usually unjustified and occurs when a leader or a powerful or significant figure believes in something totally different from his followers. Unbridled power entails unrestrained and uncontrolled opinions and views regarding governance. We have many people who are dedicated in this search for unbridled and illegitimate power.

In the play Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, this pursuit is widely explored through the life of Dr. Faustus. Dr.Faustus is famous in the society for his accomplishments; however, he suddenly grows very jaded of the limitations facing human knowledge thus forcing him to be interested in magic (Marlowe 4). He summons Mephistophilis, a demon, and he is offered twenty-four years of magical powers. Soon Dr. Faustus begins a sinful life with great desire for praise, power, and trickery.

He suddenly becomes concerned with how people view him in the society as a ‘hero. ’ However, in the end he realizes his mistakes in trusting and believing that such power would bring him contentment.In the denouement, Faustus’s soul is carried off by the devil to hell. From Dr.

Faustus’ story, we note that many people in the society decide to search for illegitimate or unjustified power in order to achieve fame, recognition, and superiority over others. At a point Faustus says “Yeah, I will combat with the weak Menelaus, then wear his colors, and as well wound Achilles (Marlowe 5). ” This explains Dr.

Faustus’ desires once he achieves power and consummate knowledge. However, in the end result, very little happiness is obtained by the doctor.In our modern society, this theme accurately applies in the way people pursue their earthly goals without considering the repercussions that come as a result. This can also be applied in political, social and religious foundations of our society.

We have leaders who have illegitimately stolen power and as a result have continued to oppress others. This desire for control is driven by human ‘will. ’ When one possesses unbridled power, for a short moment he becomes a hero and achieves great fame. Eventually he realizes the need to tyrannize is an unhealthy extension of his own vanity.

In political scenes, people acquire power illegitimately but eventually fail their nation because a dictatorship rules. “In pursuit for power through illegitimate means in society, people eventually realize that they cannot achieve happiness or a better life as it happens with Dr. Faustus (Greenblatt 354). ” Basically, the above theme is very valid since it applies adequately in our modern society. Different people have been engaged in search for unbridled and illegitimate power but eventually it was not worthwhile after attaining it. Currently there are a number of issues which cannot be applied to our modern society.

In the wake of democracy, people have become aware and informed and therefore do not give a person any chance of harnessing power through illegitimate means (Marlowe 11). Although this is the case, the theme is still applicable from an individual to societal level of how people pursue power and utilize it in different fields. In our modern society, human achievements are legitimized by the manner and means through which they pursue their achievements. From the vantage point of human ethical and moral rights, a person is required to actualize his potential and power in the most honorable way possible.If this does not materialize, the current society will react.

In today’s society, any form of power or achievement acquired in an unacceptable or dubious manner is questioned. People are greatly concerned about the truth and appropriate human service and therefore all achievements should be explainable in terms of the means through which they have been pursued. Unbridled power corrupts. Works Cited Greenblatt, Stephen. Norton Anthology of English Literature, (vol. 1). New York: W.

W. Norton & Company, 2006. Marlowe, Christopher. Doctor Faustus: a 1604 version edition. London: Longman, 2007.