Ans: “Doctor Faustus” is one of the most celebrated tragedies written by Christopher Marlow (1564 to 1593). In the Play. Doctor Faustus is the protagonist. He is also a tragic Hero because he possesses the features of it. If we want to describe Doctor Faustus as it as a tragic hero, we need to know about the definition and the criteria of it.
In a general sense, in tragedy, a tragic hero is a character usually the protagonist who has great influence but makes an error in his actions for which he must suffer.
According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is a man highly esteemed and prosperous who falls into misfortune because of some serious defect.
In the play, Faustus is presented as a learned person. He had knowledge of all the branches of learning. His reputation is known as a well-respected professional. For instance, he presents his speech to students and servants in different areas of scholarship. This demonstrates his level of intellect. In Act 1, scene 1, the chorus gives some information about him. In fact, Doctor Faustus is an intellectual person having knowledge of different subjects such as law, philosophy, physic, divinity, and theology. We find him as a great scholar when he says —
“Philosophy is odious and obscure, both law and
Physic are for petty wits.” (Act II, Scene 1)
Marlowe’s conception of a tragic hero differs from the classical view. His tragic characters are not of high rank. Faustus is of ordinary German parents’ ‘base of stock’ and who goes to Wittenberg for higher studies mainly supported by his kinsmen. Thus, Faustus is a break from the traditional concept of the tragic hero to the extent that he is not of royalty or ant noble parentage. But he is great because of his scholarship.
According to Aristotle, the tragic hero is neither too good nor too bad but a mixture of both. In the character of Faustus, we also find both good and bad qualities. When he thinks of achieving superhuman power, he begins to have dark thoughts of becoming a powerful man.
The basic thing about a tragic hero is his tragic flaw which brings about his doom and disaster. The tragic flaw in the character of Faustus is his thirst for unlimited power and pleasure. He is puffed up with pride in his great learning and scholarship and is dominated by inordinate ambition to gain superhuman powers. Due to his pride and ambition, Faustus is disappointed with all branches of learning that he has mastered so far. So, Faustus sells his soul to Lucifer in exchange for a voluptuous life for twenty-four years. And herein lies the great tragic flaw in his character.
Marlowe achieves distinction by infusing the Renaissance spirit in his tragic heroes. His tragic heroes very successfully reflect the spirit of the Renaissance. In “Doctor Faustus”, Faustus’ craving for knowledge infinite, his insatiable curiosity, and his supreme lust for power and pelf very clearly reflect the spirit of the Renaissance. He represents the suggestions of the Evil Angel to attain the position of a “Lord and commander of the word”.
Like some other great tragic heroes, Faustus also suffers from inner conflict. His choice of necromancy is made after inner conflict. The appearance of the Good Angel and the Evil Angel is the personification of his inner impulses. His conventional heart is opposed to his self damnation and this is clearly hinted at when his blood congeals as he proceeds to sign the contract with his blood. But he ignores the warning and completes the scroll.
Generally, the suffering of a tragic hero arouses pity and fear in the heart of the audience. In this respect, Dr. Faustus does not go an exception. We feel pity and fear for him when we find him saying—
“My God, my God, look not so fierce on me
Adders and serpents let me breathe a while …..
I’ll burn my book: Ah Mephistophilis.”
Dr. Faustus encounters a very stronger tragedy compared to other people. His wrong choices in life make him experience misery after leading a happy life working as a researcher in different fields. It is his error in his judgment that brings a harrowing ending to his life.
Taking all the points into consideration, we can conclude our discussion by saying that Faustus is rightly called a tragic hero as he is a scholar, he suffers from a flaw in his character, the flaw makes him commit a fatal mistake, and he realizes his mistake but when it is too late and his fall evokes our pity.
