Dr. Faustus, Pride And Gree
The Pride and Greed of Dr. Faustus
In the sixteenth century play Dr. Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus, the main character, prevails two distinct qualities: greed and pride. It is these two qualities, one even being one of the seven deadly sins, which lead to the destruction of Dr. Faustus. Faustus already had everything that any person in his time could possibly need or use. Yet, because of his desire for a power greater than he was meant to have, he sacrificed his soul to Satan. Eventually, this would lead to his destruction mortally and eternally, simply to satisfy his greed and pride.
Even before the play begins Marlowe makes obvious that Faustus is swollen with pride. ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
could be a comparison to Lucifer who, due to his pride also fell, but not to his death, but from Heaven. Either comparison shows perfect foreshadowing of what will happen to Faustus, due to his deadly sin of pride.
Greed, the other characteristic of Faustus becomes apparent in the first scene. He has already gained all that he can materially and intellectually, being very wealthy as well as a master of logic, medicine, and law. However, he still was not satisfied, he felt confined by mere human knowledge and wealth. Faustus believed that through necromancy (magic) he could have even more, "A world of profit and delight, Of power, of honour, of omnipotence" (page 5, 1.1.1-2). It is this greed and thirst for omnipotence that leads Faustus to sell his soul to Lucifer. For only a short twenty-four years of all out power (power to satisfy his greed and pride), he is willing to spend eternity in Hell. If the deal in itself does not prove greed and pride, or possibly a lack of, ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Dr. Faustus, Pride And Gree. (2006, June 5). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Dr-Faustus-Pride-And-Gree/47040
"Dr. Faustus, Pride And Gree." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 5 Jun. 2006. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Dr-Faustus-Pride-And-Gree/47040>
"Dr. Faustus, Pride And Gree." Essayworld.com. June 5, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Dr-Faustus-Pride-And-Gree/47040.
"Dr. Faustus, Pride And Gree." Essayworld.com. June 5, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Dr-Faustus-Pride-And-Gree/47040.
|
Save
Report