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It is very interesting to look at the irony of Dr. Faustus and his reliance on the mix of science and the supernatural in the work titled Dr. Faustus. The Webster's New Collegiate defines a scientist as: One learned in science or Natural science; also, known as a scientific investigator. The Dr.
Faustus described in Marlow's work definitely fits all of these criteria. He was very learned (or so he thought) in all of the different sciences. In here lies his problem, Dr. Faustus said that he is boarded or sees no reason for analysis, physics, law and divinity (lines 5 - 60). It is possible that Dr.
Faustus could be looking for a new more interesting science or faith in the supernatural through some sort of physical evidence that it exists. Because Dr. Faustus is constantly searching for more knowledge, under these mixed guidelines, he is defiantly in a struggle between science and the supernatural. It is important to note that unlike most scientists, Faustus is not searching for knowledge just to better himself. He is only interested in more knowledge because it produces more power, and power is Dr. Faustus's main goal.
More evidence that Dr. Faustus is struggling in his faith in science or the supernatural lies within Act 2. This is the act where Dr. Faustus finally sells his soul and the second thing he asks for are the tools of a scientist. These tools that Dr.
Faustus requests in his time in both discovery and new found knowledge of the supernatural are books. This is intriguing because Faustus has just obtained the ultimate knowledge that the supernatural exists and he still falls back on his practical knowledge as a doctor. The first book he wants is a book that "behold (s) all spells and incantations" (lines 161). He asks for this one first because it beholds more power for him while the books he asks for after this are more for the learned aspect of Faustus' personality. These other books he now wants that allow him to " see all the characters and planets of the heaven "and "to see all plants, herbs and trees that grows upon the earth" (lines 165 and 168). These last two books provide no direct means for power, unlike the first book of spells.
The fact that he does ask for these last two purely intellectual books provides more proof that he is indeed wrestling with which force is the authority the supernatural or science. He repeats his constant search for more information when he questions the seven deadly sins (lines 105 - 163). Here he continues to feed his scientific appetites by cross-examining and classifying the sins. This mix of scientific observation and the presence of the supernatural really makes this work interesting.
The intertwining of science and the supernatural are usually opposing forces but Dr. Faustus uses both of the elements to enhance his fruitless goal of self empowerment through his bargain with the devil. Thought Faustus used tried to use religion to improve science or may I say himself it is hard to get a grasp on which universal power he implores more faith or confidence in. On the other hand Dr.
Faustus didn't really believe that there was a heaven and hell even when the truth was told to him, which is a major fault Faustus has as a scientist. Even when attempting to intertwine the two disciplines of science and religion Dr. Faustus still lets his faith in science hinder his ability to use his common sense. One would think that if it were possible to make a deal with the devil that there must be a God because good cannot exist without evil and if there is a heaven than there must be a hell.
Mephostophilis told Faust that "hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed in one self place; for where we are is hell, And where hell is we must forever be. And to conclude, when all the world dissolves, and every creature shall be purified, all the places shall be hell that is not heaven" but still he doesn't not believe what he is told because he is blinded by his love for power and his overbalanced faith in science. This is an example of how Dr. Faustus lets his selfish nature and his reliance on science as opposed to faith allow him to make wrong decisions as not only a doctor but a moral human being. Faustus is defiantly a man of little faith in anything but self gratification because he is literally selling his soul for more knowledge which he feels will yield him more power. In the selfish pursuit for power Dr.
Faustus releases his grasp on the morality that a man of his standing should posses. If science were used to prove that there is some form of supernatural power in existence than the work would have been noble. It seems as if Dr. Faustus attempted to abuse both faith in the supernatural and science for his personal gain. As he gained power in the element of science, Dr. Faustus searched for more which led him to the supernatural.
When the supernatural could be used at a price, Dr. Faustus still attempted to step into the realm half heartedly. By Dr. Faustus not believing in Heaven and Hell and still holding a conversation with the seven deadly sins there is an element selfish struggle between his faith in the supernatural and his reliance on science. It seems as if Dr. Faustus can never seem to control either element and power is his final goal so the struggle is internal.
Still at the heart of his search for knowledge is that Faust's undying want for power that makes him ignore vital bit's information. Though he is a scientist by the true definition of the word; his power lust makes him turn his back on the evidence placed in front of him in order to have a false sense of security. Dr. Faustus is given all of the answers that he wanted and yet he not only never resolves his struggle between science and faith but he manages to loose his soul in the process. I believe the struggle between faith and science represents the inner struggle of Dr. Faustus never being satisfied with whom he really was.
Dr. Faustus relied on power instead of relying on himself for personal gratification. Throughout the text there are examples of Dr. Faustus trying to please others by granting them works done by his hand in order to gain the favor of his peers.
In scene twelve Faustus meets with a group of scholars and they engage in a conversation about whom the most beautiful woman in the world is. Dr. Faustus uses his power to grant them a glimpse of Helen of Troy and the men give him great praise for this amazing display of power. This scene is an example of how futilely the use of the power Faustus was given is used. The power is there but it seems as if it is all a waste due to the selfish use of it and perhaps the evil origin of it. Faustus is always searching for a since of harmony and peace through the wrong means.
God granted him the use of his intelligence and he used it to become learned and gain the title of Dr. Faustus. The devil granted him the use of supernatural power at a price and he used that for self gratification. Man gave Dr. Faustus the gift of wisdom in the end of the play in the form of the old man but it seemed too late for the abuser of gifts.
In scene twelve of the play an old man enters to speak with Dr. Faustus. In lines 26 - 37 the old man says "Ah Dr. Faustus, that I may prevail to guide thy steps unto the way of life, by which sweet path thou may " st attain the goal that shall conduct thee to celestial rest. Break heart, drop blood, and mingle it with tears, Tears falling with repentant heaviness of thy most vile and loathsome filthiness, the stench whereof corrupts the inward soul with such flagitious crimes of heinous sins, as no commiseration may expel but mercy, Faustus of thy savior sweet, Of whose blood alone must wash away thy guilt. " Here Dr. Faustus is given an avenue for redemption and a guiding light back to some sort of righteousness.
Faustus still has a doubt in the supernatural and in the wisdom of the old man. The old man gave him a practical way to replenish the sanctity of his soul and he gives all faith in his demise at the hands of the devil but no regard to his redemption at the hands of God. This is a clear example of Faustus's confusion with the two elements of faith and science. Dr. Faustus will not allow himself to believe that God has dominion over the devil which goes back to his earlier disbelieve in heaven and hell. In the end of the play Dr.
Faustus says "Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast. " (Line 30) This is an ironic line because throughout the play there is the struggle of the uses of science and the supernatural and they ultimately bring on the demise of the main character. In a sense the whole play was about struggles. In using science as a backup for the supernatural Dr. Faustus was able to gain worldly power while losing the proper use of his common sense.
In his undying quest for power and acclaim Faustus lost his soul and never truly believed in anything that was of good to him. The struggle between his soul and his intellect took him to a place that was hard to leave the soul representing the supernatural and the intellect representing science. Most people use both their intellect and their faith in some sort of higher power to get them through life comfortably the difference between Dr. Faustus and the rest of use is the abuse of the only two elements that we have a choice to use or abuse.
I've heard the saying that knowledge is power but after reading Dr. Faustus I would like to change that saying to "What you do with knowledge is power. "
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