At the beginning of Act 1, in his soliloquy, Faustus is
portrayed by Marlowe to be over-reaching as he says “Having commenced, be a
divine in show, yet level at the end of every art” which is translated into “Now
that you have been awarded a degree, be a theologian in appearance only, while
aiming to reach the utmost limit of every discipline of learning”. The ‘utmost
limit’ demonstrates over-reaching ambition as Faustus is going to push himself
as far as he can, maybe without considering risks and danger that he could force
himself into. He also possesses a great amount of self confidence which is evident
in the quote “And be eternised”. He believes that he is the best, and should
therefore be made immortal, and forever famous. After all, his commonplace
statements are “common talk sound aphorisms” of everybody, so why should this
moment of fame or infamy ever end?
Sin is presented through the use of Latin. “Stipendium
peccati mors est” which translates as “The
wages of sin is death” or “The rewards”.
What is interesting is how Faustus exclaims “Ha” after reading this piece of
religious text. With religion being an important part of society at the time,
this may have been seen as disrespectful and offensive to faith. To most
people, God was an important feature of their lives, and he should be adored no
matter what. However, with Faustus following the Devil, he adapted his own set
of beliefs and values. Furthermore, Faustus says that “If we say that we have
no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there’s no truth in us. Why then belike we
must sin, and so consequently die.” This could be interpreted that mankind is
born out of sin, or as sinners and will go to hell with Mephistopheles. This relates
back to the history of the doctrine, genesis and the ‘original sin’ committed by
Adam and Eve.
Evil is represented at the entrance of an angel from the
left- the ‘Evil Angel’. Here, Faustus is encouraged to “Go forward in that
famous art” referring to the study of divinity from a book he is holding. However,
the Good Angel has already told Faustus to “Lay the damnèd book aside” as the study
of the bible was seen then as blasphemy. Knowledge is power- something that
people are not supposed to possess. Only God should have power, as he is the
one in control and he should be obeyed. Marlowe could have been writing about
himself in the character of Faustus, as a way of covering up his own identity
and hiding the truth about his studies, due to the risk of punishment or
separation from society.
Throughout the play, there are references to the seven
deadly sins. In act 1, “How am I glutted with conceit” refers to gluttony, but
in this context the selfishness and Faustus’s interests in himself rather than
in others. Lust is also referred to in Act 1, “Sometimes like women, or
unwedded maids, shadowing more beauty in their airy brows.” This is a sexual
lust which Faustus has within him, to find a woman who he can ravish.
