A ~5,500 word critical examination into the role and employment of myth, magic and the supernatural within Marlowe's play 'Dr Faustus'. Includes academic referencing and bibliography of all works cited.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Defining Magic, Mythology and the Supernatural
3. The Fantasy of Apotheosis
4. Faustus' Constructive Power and Its Limitations
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
This essay explores how Christopher Marlowe’s Dr Faustus portrays the protagonist's attempt to transcend the human condition by employing magic to invoke mythological figures and supernatural elements, ultimately seeking to achieve a self-constructed godlike status through the actualization of fantasy.
- The role of magic as a tool for personal revolution and self-deification.
- The distinction and interaction between "fantasy" and "phantasia" in the play.
- Faustus’ attempt to manipulate time and history through the "spirits of the past."
- The illusory nature of power derived from the supernatural versus the reality of damnation.
- The tragic failure of Faustus’ pursuit of immortality and divine transcendence.
Excerpt from the Book
Magic, Mythology and the Supernatural in Marlowe’s Dr Faustus
In light of Marx’s comments from The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte regarding the conjuring of the past within the present in order to facilitate the creation of a ‘new’ future, this essay seeks to examine the ways in which the invocation of the ‘spirits of the past’ and the difficulty of ‘revolutionising’ one’s existence are manifested in Marlowe’s Dr Faustus. The components of this investigative course are to be found in the presence of the mythological and the supernatural elements within the play, and the way in which these are facilitated by the employment of magic. If one is to successfully trace the influence, significance, and (crucially) the interaction of magic, mythology and the supernatural within Dr Faustus, one must first endeavour to briefly refine our comprehension of these important aspects of the play as individually functioning concepts. Recalling Marx’s comments on the conjuring of ‘spirits of the past’ allows us to place the role of mythology within the context of the play – that is to say, it is the means by which Faustus seeks to connect with ancient history in order to (in the language of Marx) ‘revolutionise’ himself as an individual. By recalling ancient mythological history and facilitating the physical manifestation of it through magic, Faustus seeks to reconstruct the domain of the old gods around himself, deifying himself as the figure of power in a present that he has manufactured from the past.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the theoretical framework of Marx regarding the "spirits of the past" and applies it to Faustus’ motivation to redefine his existence through magic.
2. Defining Magic, Mythology and the Supernatural: This section establishes key terminology, differentiating between human-employed magic, the resulting supernatural manifestations, and the concept of "phantasia" as a means of rendering fantasies visible.
3. The Fantasy of Apotheosis: The chapter explores Faustus’ contradictory desires for material gain and divine godhood, examining whether he truly believes in his impending damnation or assumes his status exempts him.
4. Faustus' Constructive Power and Its Limitations: This analysis focuses on the illusory nature of the world Faustus constructs and his transition from observer to active participant in his own downfall.
5. Conclusion: The final section synthesizes the arguments, concluding that Faustus’ inability to distinguish between fleeting fantasy and objective reality leads to his inevitable destruction.
Keywords
Dr Faustus, Christopher Marlowe, Magic, Mythology, Supernatural, Apotheosis, Phantasia, Fantasy, Self-deification, Kleos, Mephistopheles, Damnation, Renaissance, Marx, Illusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on how the protagonist of Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus attempts to use magic and the summoning of mythological figures to transcend his human limitations and achieve godlike status.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include the intersection of history and personal identity, the power of illusion (fantasy vs. phantasia), the structure of the supernatural hierarchy, and the existential pursuit of immortality.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to examine the extent to which Faustus successfully reconstructs his identity through the "spirits of the past" and why his ultimate pursuit of divinity results in tragic failure.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary and philosophical analysis, utilizing Marxist theory alongside traditional literary criticism to interpret the protagonist's actions and the play's underlying power dynamics.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the definitions of key terms, analyzes Faustus’ evolving desires, reviews the "show" of illusions presented throughout the play, and evaluates the irony of his struggle against eternal damnation.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is defined by concepts such as apotheosis, the interplay of fantasy and phantasia, the Marlowe-specific "self-fashioning," and the mythological context of the hero’s downfall.
How does the author distinguish between "fantasy" and "phantasia"?
The author uses "fantasy" to refer to internal, subjective imagination, while "phantasia" is defined as the act of making the unseen visible or actualizing mythological apparitions through magical power.
What role does the "spirits of the past" play in Faustus' ambition?
Drawing on Marx, the author argues that Faustus uses mythological history as a tool to gain control over his present, attempting to link his individual life to the epic greatness of the past.
Does the author believe Faustus is truly in control?
No, the analysis suggests that Faustus’ control is illusory; he is a pawn in a power dynamic dominated by Mephistopheles and the supernatural forces that ultimately secure his soul.
What does the final image of fire represent in the analysis?
The final image of fire represents the total destruction of both the "old gods" Faustus sought to emulate and the protagonist himself, marking the end of his attempt to transcend reality.
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- Harry Taylor (Autor:in), 2012, Magic, Mythology and the Supernatural in Marlowe’s 'Dr Faustus', München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/207917
