Was doing a close analysis on Dr Faustus the other day when I studied with Darranz. Somehow I have a feeling it's a little too late for me to work hard now. But I guess, I still have to give it one last shot. Not the time to give up now. I love studying with Darranz though it's always VERY stressful.

Faustus fell because he pursued necromancy(magic) and refused to repent. During his time, the renaissance Period, there was a rise in the quest for knowledge. Because of the birth of Science, the people wanted to know more. Religion took a backseat. What was Faustus' flaw? His desire to know more than what he should causes him fall. Necromancy was forbidden at that time, but because of the quest for knowledge, he did what was forbidden and eventually sells his soul to Lucifer to get 24 years of unlimited wealth, power, knowledge and women.

By signing the blood bond with the Devil, Faustus was actually sealing his place in Hell. But the time he tried to repent, it was too late. But was it really too late? In the text, everything seems to be a transaction. Eg: You give me your soul, I give you wealth, power and whatever you desire. You give up all your knowledge and burn your books, I'll give you your salvation.

Salvation, Repentence, Suffering in Hell, Gaining knowledge. They are all but a transaction. Faustus is trying to bargain with God. "God. I'll burn my books if only I don't have to go to hell." What is Marlowe trying to say? That religion is a transaction? That God expects Faustus to obey before giving Faustus his salvation?

Is Faustus wrong in wanting to know more? No. The problem is, he didn't put the knowledge he gained to good use. He said in the text that he wanted to use the knowledge gained to cure diseases but ultimately uses it as a farce. To make fun of the Pope. So is the punishment Faustus gets justified? But since Marlowe is trying to say that religion is a transaction, everything is a transaction, Faustus is not wrong in wanting to know more, and wanting to bargain. The only wrong he did was to sign the blood bond with the Devil. That makes his punishment justified.

So what is my point? Actually I don't have an idea. I think I'm confusing myself.

Staring into the Abyss,