Sublime Classical Influences in Faustus

Classical Influences in Faustus

This text focuses on Classical Influences in Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.

Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus (first performed in 1592) is one of the most significant plays of the English Renaissance. It blends classical influences from Greek and Roman tragedy with elements of medieval morality plays, shaping the character of Faustus as a tragic hero. Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, was deeply influenced by the themes of fate, ambition, and divine justice seen in classical drama, particularly the works of Sophocles, Euripides, and Seneca.

Greek Tragedy and the Tragic Flaw

Like Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Faustus has a tragic flaw (hamartia)—his unlimited ambition and desire for knowledge.
His downfall is brought about by hubris (excessive pride), a key characteristic of Greek tragic heroes.

Influence of Senecan Tragedy

The play follows the Senecan model of tragedy, which includes: Supernatural elements (Mephistopheles and the deal with Lucifer).
Long, rhetorical speeches expressing inner conflict.
Violence and horror (Faustus’ damnation).

Medieval Morality Play Elements

Like morality plays (Everyman), Faustus is tempted by Good and Evil Angels, representing his moral struggle.
However, unlike morality play protagonists, he rejects redemption, leading to his tragic end.

Faustus as a Tragic Hero

Faustus embodies the Renaissance individual—curious, ambitious, and eager to push human limits. However, his uncontrolled desire for power leads to his downfall.

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)

His insatiable thirst for knowledge leads him to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of magical power.

Internal Conflict (Struggle Between Free Will and Fate)

He is constantly torn between repenting and pursuing pleasure.
This mirrors the Greek concept of fate, where characters, despite warnings, cannot escape their destiny.

Catharsis (Emotional Purging in the Audience)

Faustus’ ultimate realization of his mistake creates pity and fear in the audience.
His desperate final speech before being dragged to hell is one of the most powerful moments in English drama.

Conclusion: A Bridge Between Classical and Renaissance Tragedy

Classical Influences in Doctor Faustus are clearly discernible. This drama integrates classical tragic structure, Renaissance humanism, and medieval morality themes. Faustus is both a tragic hero and a cautionary figure, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ambition. The play’s influence can be seen in later works, particularly in Shakespearean tragedy, making it a key transitional work in English drama.

Exam Questions

1. How does Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus incorporate classical Greek, Roman, and medieval influences to shape the character of Faustus as a tragic hero, and what does this reveal about the play’s significance in English Renaissance drama?
2. In what ways does Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe reflect classical (Greek and Roman) and medieval dramatic traditions, and how do these influences contribute to Faustus’s role as a Renaissance tragic hero?

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