Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus

The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe, is a play dealing with the various socio-religious conflicts of the Renaissance age. It is also known for its portrayal of the constant psychological conflict inside the mind of the protagonist, who wavers to decide whether to set upon the path of virtue (God/religion) or vice (Lucifer/necromancy). As a revolt against the dark ages when religion was at the center of life, Renaissance is known for its emphasis on human life and effort. Almost all the renaissance plays focus on the idea that humans suffer the consequences of their own actions and therefore fate or destiny, which was supposed to be the cause of an individual's present situation, during the dark ages, was denied this power. Here, in the play, the protagonist, Doctor Faustus suffers downfall, not because his destiny had designed it so. But because he was arrogant of the amount knowledge he possessed. Also because he forgets the main purpose of gaining 24 years of life from Lucifer, which was to gain knowledge.

1) The given image provides three observations. First, the difference between Michael Dunster's depiction of Lucifer and the earlier depictions. Most of the earlier depictions had Lucifer in a completely black attire. Whereas here he's dressed mostly in white. Secondly,  the addition of the wings at the end of the play symbolize the increase in power. Even after all the advices and warnings as well as his own psychological conflict and repentance Faustus ends up following Lucifer's pact, offering his soul as the price. Third and most importantly, Lucifer's laughter, is one of victory. He considers himself victorious and mighty as even a learned scholar like Faustus offers his soul and accepts his supremacy.

2) There can be a number of opinions about the question of whether or not God is present in the play. A popular opinion is that the character of the old man, advising and forewarning Faustus for the last time, of what his actions might bear, is in fact a depiction of God. However, I personally won't agree with that. In my opinion, the old man can be considered a representative of a society where the definitions of virtues and vices were so rigidly prescribed by religion that, his advice appears a forewarning to Faustus that if he chose to follow necromancy he would be loosing his own position in society as a learned scholar. It is important to note here that though the Elizabethan age is known for its renaissance and changes in thinking of people, it was still not completely free from religious stereotypes. Christianity was still holding a strong position in people's lives. 

3) The Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus teaches the consequences of  carelessness and excessive pride, which is one of the central themes of Doctor Faustus as well. Icarus's wax wings are melted because of the heat of the sun, as he refuses to obey his father and ultimately dies. Similarly, Faustus, even after so many advices and explanations given by the Good Angel, the first and second scholars as well as the old man keeps on following necromancy. Now, disobedience is again a sin as per Christian beliefs which the myth as well as the play emphasize. 

4) Frankly speaking, I wasn't able to interpret the given image earlier. However, after our class discussion about it being the modern portrayal of the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus I was curious to know more about it. And therefore I searched about it on the internet. Something which I  found really appealing was the fact that the painting rather then just presenting the myth is in fact a portrayal of the reaction to the myth itself. The people, whom I thought were indifferent towards the beauty of nature, were actually indifferent to Icarus' fall. This is what I could make out after I read W.H Auden's poem based on the same painting. Whether it's Faustus or Icarus, the modern individual can either choose to learn from them or just stay indifferent to them. This is what I believe.