What boots it then to think of God or heaven ? Away with such fancies and despair; Despairin God, and trust in Beelzebub … Abjure this magic, turn to God again
This excerpt is from Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus, specifically reflecting the inner turmoil and conflict experienced by the protagonist, Doctor Faustus.
The lines capture Faustus’ struggle between repentance and damnation, embodying the central themes of the play.
Analysis of the Excerpt
“What boots it then to think of God or heaven?”
- This line suggests a sense of futility in considering the concepts of God and heaven. Faustus questions the value or benefit (“boots”) of turning to God at this stage of his life, reflecting his deep despair and disillusionment.
“Away with such fancies and despair; Despair in God, and trust in Beelzebub…”
- Here, Faustus seems to dismiss the idea of seeking divine mercy as mere “fancies” and instead embraces despair. He considers placing his trust in Beelzebub, a demon, indicating his inclination towards damnation over salvation. This illustrates Faustus’ internal conflict and the grip of his pact with the devil.
“Abjure this magic, turn to God again”
- This line represents the opposing voice of Faustus’ conscience or perhaps the pleas of the good angel that appear throughout the play. It urges Faustus to renounce (“abjure”) his practice of magic and turn back to God, seeking repentance and redemption. This moment highlights the theme of salvation versus damnation and the possibility of redemption, no matter how far one has strayed.
Context within Doctor Faustus
Faustus’ Pact and Inner Conflict:
- Doctor Faustus, a scholar dissatisfied with the limits of human knowledge, makes a pact with the devil, exchanging his soul for magical powers and worldly pleasures. Throughout the play, he oscillates between moments of doubt and fear of damnation, and moments of pride and satisfaction in his powers.
- The lines above encapsulate Faustus’ inner turmoil, caught between the fleeting satisfaction of his earthly gains and the terrifying prospect of eternal damnation.
Theme of Despair and Redemption:
- The excerpt showcases the theme of despair, a critical element in Doctor Faustus. Faustus’ sense of despair leads him to believe that he is beyond redemption, a common struggle in tragic literature.
- The play continuously poses the question of whether Faustus can repent and be saved or if he is doomed by his own choices and the irrevocability of his pact.
Moral and Religious Tensions:
- Marlowe’s play delves into the tension between Renaissance humanism, which emphasized human potential and achievement, and the medieval Christian worldview that underscored the importance of faith and the afterlife.
- Faustus embodies the Renaissance spirit with his quest for knowledge and power, but his ultimate despair and fear of damnation reflect the enduring influence of religious doctrine and the fear of divine retribution.
Good Angel and Evil Angel:
- The good and evil angels that appear throughout the play symbolize the conflicting impulses within Faustus. The good angel represents the path of repentance and divine forgiveness, while the evil angel encourages Faustus to continue his pursuit of forbidden knowledge and power, leading to his damnation.
- The dialogue in the excerpt echoes this dichotomy, with the plea to “abjure this magic, turn to God again” juxtaposed against the call to “despair in God, and trust in Beelzebub.”
Conclusion
This passage from Doctor Faustus captures the essence of Faustus’ tragic struggle between his ambitions and the dire consequences of his pact with the devil. Marlowe’s exploration of themes such as the futility of seeking power at the cost of one’s soul, the conflict between human potential and divine authority, and the possibility of redemption even in the face of despair, remains compelling and thought-provoking. Faustus’ journey serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of overreaching ambition and the enduring need for spiritual redemption.