Blog #2 of Quarter 4 The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Part Two
Quote: “He that loves pleasure must for pleasure fall"
This quote is spoken by the "evil angel" just before Faustus is taken to Hell. It explains the main theme of this book/play. Faustus gives up his soul in exchange for earthly pleasures. Despite coming close to repentance several times, he refuses to give up his power and it is only at the end of the play that he realizes what a huge mistake he has made. And by that time, it is too late. Throughout the play, he is willing to forfeit Heaven because he desires wealth and enjoyment on earth. As the quote says, this love of material things is Faustus's weakness.
This theme is common in many other works, especially during the time period when this play was written. This play may have been written with the hope that the Church would approve because of its message (I don't know this for sure, it's just a guess). This kind of story probably would have been popular among churchgoers, because it is a very literal warning about Hell, demons, and evil in general. Even just reading the play, the ending is pretty unpleasant and disturbing, so seeing it performed would probably have scared a lot of people into giving their spiritual life a second look. (Can't you just picture some Elizabethan parents taking their rebellious boys to the play, saying "This is what happens when you don't take God seriously..."?)
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Part Two
Quote: “He that loves pleasure must for pleasure fall"
This quote is spoken by the "evil angel" just before Faustus is taken to Hell. It explains the main theme of this book/play. Faustus gives up his soul in exchange for earthly pleasures. Despite coming close to repentance several times, he refuses to give up his power and it is only at the end of the play that he realizes what a huge mistake he has made. And by that time, it is too late. Throughout the play, he is willing to forfeit Heaven because he desires wealth and enjoyment on earth. As the quote says, this love of material things is Faustus's weakness.
This theme is common in many other works, especially during the time period when this play was written. This play may have been written with the hope that the Church would approve because of its message (I don't know this for sure, it's just a guess). This kind of story probably would have been popular among churchgoers, because it is a very literal warning about Hell, demons, and evil in general. Even just reading the play, the ending is pretty unpleasant and disturbing, so seeing it performed would probably have scared a lot of people into giving their spiritual life a second look. (Can't you just picture some Elizabethan parents taking their rebellious boys to the play, saying "This is what happens when you don't take God seriously..."?)