Dr. Faustus: tragedy and ambition in Renaissance drama

Faustus

Dr. Faustus Explication

This quote takes place in the scene where Faustus makes his fateful (and fatal) bargain with Mephistopheles. Though Marlowe was writing long before the age of psychoanalysis, this passage makes it clear that certain concepts were apparent to keen observers of human nature, including playwrights like Christopher Marlowe. The scene shows the inner conflict that plays out -- however briefly -- in Faustus' mind regarding his planned deal with the Devil. The first line of the quote is something that Faustus claims "soundeth in his ears": a voice telling him to "Abjure this magic" and "turn to God again!." This is his conscience, or what Freud would later term the superego, speaking up and attempting to compel Faustus back onto a righteous path. The second line, when Fasutus claims he "will turn to God again," makes it seem as though his conscience has actually almost won.

The next two lines in the passage make it very clear that this is not, in fact, the case. First, Faustus covers his rejection of God by claiming that God has rejected him: "He [God] loves thee [Faustus himself] not." This in itself is similar to many childish rebuffs of God, especially during moments (or lifetimes) of suffering, real or perceived. Faustus does not have this perception, however, so this excuse must be seen for what it is -- merely and solely an imagined justification for his actions. The last line of the passage makes Faustus' character entirely clear: "The god thou serv'st is thine own appetite." He acknowledges his self-serving nature, and in fact embraces and celebrates it -- that is what the play is really about. This moment of wavering conscience is not really provided to show Faustus in more depth than he might otherwise be perceived to possess, but rather to make his fall from grace that much more poignant -- he had a chance to save himself, and he rejected it out of hand and paid hard for it.