Doctor Faustus

Iambic pentameter

reflects Faustus's intellectual ability and ambition, consolidating his character as a learned scholar. It contrasts with characters who speak in prose, highlighting social differences. The meter emphasizes Faustus’s tragic journey, with his speeches initially sounding grand, but disintegrating as his downfall approaches. The rhythm contributes to the play’s tragic tone, amplifying Faustus’s fall from grace.

“Till,Swoll’n with cunning of a self-conceit”

“swoll’n with cunning” suggests that Faustus’s intellect, has become inflated, highlighting belief in his own superiority. foreshadows his tragic flaw. which ultimately leads to his downfall. The imagery of swelling conveys the idea of something that has grown beyond its healthy limits, symbolizing Faustus's hubris and his reckless pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

His waxen wings did mount above his reach

The "waxen wings" symbolize Faustus’s reckless pursuit of necromancy, which, like Icarus’s wings, are unable to hold the consequences of his overreach. The phrase "did mount above his reach" conveys Faustus's desire to transcend human limitations and attain godlike status, which ultimately proves fatal. This metaphor reflects the conflict between human potential and the dangers of overambition. like Icarus, he is doomed by his unchecked aspiration

“Yet art thou still Faustus yet a man”

“yet” emphasizes his rejection of his mortal state, illustrating his frustration with the confinement of human ability. The phrase “yet a man” despite his intellectual brilliance, he is still bound by human limitations—something he wishes to escape through his pact with the devil. The juxtaposition of “Faustus” with “a man” reflects the core conflict of the play: Faustus's desire to be more than human, to surpass the boundaries of human knowledge and power,

Necromantic books are heavenly

reflects Faustus's corrupted perception of knowledge and power. By describing necromantic books as "heavenly," Faustus elevates forbidden knowledge to a divine level, associating it with purity and faith.. The line foreshadows his moral corruption, as he chooses dark magic over divine teachings. His view of necromancy as "heavenly" shows how he is blinded by ambition

“ a sound magician is a mighty god”

encapsulates Faustus’s dangerous belief in the divine power of knowledge and magic. By equating a "sound magician" with a "mighty god," Faustus demonstrates his hubris and his desire to transcend human limitations. He views mastery over magic as a means to godlike power, reveals Faustus's ambition to control and manipulate the natural world, It also foreshadows his tragic downfall, as he seeks power through forbidden means rather than through humility or divine grace.

“This night I’ll conjure,Though I die therefore""

• Ambition and Overreach:Skilling and Lay’s ambition led them to make reckless decisions to manipulate the company’s finances,. Like Faustus, they overreached by believing they could control the system and avoid the inevitable consequences of their actions. Their pursuit of financial power, success, and innovation without regard for ethical boundaries ultimately led to the collapse of Enron, much like Faustus’ pursuit of forbidden knowledge leads to his damnation.

“The fear not,Faustus,But be resolute and try the uttermost magic can perform”

This is reflective of his hubris—his overconfidence in his ability to control the consequences of his actions, even when faced with the dire consequences of pursuing dark magic.

Just as Faustus is resolute in his pursuit of ultimate knowledge and power, the executives at Enron were resolute in their pursuit of financial success, even when it involved morally questionable or fraudulent actions. similar to how Faustus’s pursuit of forbidden knowledge was dangerous and unethical. Like Faustus, Skilling and Lay showed unwavering ambition and a desire to push boundaries, even when it became clear that their practices were unsustainable.

"We fly in hope to get his glorious soul”

The act of flying is metaphorical here, giving movement and agency to the devils. may also allude to the supernatural abilities of the devils, who are not bound by human limitations and can operate in realms beyond earthly comprehension. The flight symbolizes their uncontested power and control over Faustus’s fate.

“Had I as many souls as stars,I’d give them all for Mephistopheles”

Souls as stars” serves as a metaphor for infinite or immense value.. The metaphor emphasizes the immense value that Faustus is willing to trade—his eternal soul— The stars, often associated with the divine and the celestial, become a contrast to the earthly and damned desires that Faustus is now choosing over his soul’s eternal salvation

Marlowe’s personal life, especially his rumored sexuality, was not only controversial but dangerous at the time, as homosexuality was regarded as a serious crime under Elizabethan laws. In light of this, the deal with Mephistopheles can be seen as a metaphor for a desperate bargain, where one is willing to sacrifice a core part of oneself in exchange for power or indulgence in desires that are repressed or forbidden.

My heart’s so hardened I cannot repent

Act 2 scene 3

aspirate -serves to intensify the emotional weight of the line. The sound itself has a harsh, almost choking quality, which can symbolize the suffocating nature of Faustus’s spiritual condition. It suggests that Faustus is breathless in his despair

The fact that Faustus claims his heart is so hardened he cannot repent also ties into the Faustian bargain. His refusal to turn back is symbolic of his pride and ambition. Faustus is so consumed with self-love and self-importance that he cannot submit to the humility required for repentance.

Hubris as the Root Cause of Their Downfalls:

Faustus: At the core of Faustus's actions is hubris—his belief that he is above divine laws and can control his fate. His desire for power and knowledge blinds him to the consequences of his pact(alike to a business deal) with the devil, making him unable to repent and ultimately leading to his damnation.

Enron: In Enron, hubris is similarly the root cause of the downfall. The characters involved in the scandal, especially Skilling and Lay, believe they are beyond reproach, assuming that their intelligence and business savvy can override ethical concerns. Their financial manipulation and unethical decisions are fueled by the same sense of superiority that Faustus experiences. This ultimately leads to their disgrace and the company's collapse.

Made Music with my mephistopheles

bi-liabial

The bilabial "m" in "Made music with my Mephistopheles" reinforces Faustus's false sense of control and self-assurance. While the sound itself is soft and round, symbolizing Faustus's belief that he is the creator of his own world, it contrasts with the tragic irony of the situation—Faustus is in fact being controlled by forces far beyond his understanding. The line continues to explore his hubris, his desire for power, and the illusion of mastery that ultimately leads to his downfall.

“And Faustus vows to never look to heaven”

(Globe)He is pointing to the sky

The deal with lucifer is emblematic of a contract,signing away his life-allusions to enron

Vow-Faustus’s rejection of heaven is deliberate and pre-meditated, and not simply a momentary lapse in judgment

Juxtaposition: . The juxtaposition of heaven with Faustus's self-imposed damnation highlights the dramatic irony: Faustus’s insistence on power and knowledge has led him to reject the very thing that would save him, encapsulating the theme of knowledge versus wisdom that runs throughout the play.

“Seek to save distressed faustus' soul"

(Globe)clutching a cross

he is confronted by a Good Angel who urges him to repent and seek salvation

• Seek": Implies an active pursuit of salvation, highlighting Faustus's desperation. The use of the verb suggests that salvation is something that must be sought out and is not simply given. This evokes a sense of urgency and imploration.

• "Distressed": This adjective emphasizes Faustus’s emotional and spiritual torment. The word reflects his guilt, suffering, and recognition of his damnation. It also hints at the inner conflict Faustus faces as he contemplates his fate.

“Come I think Hell’s a fable”

Globe - Presented as sinister,somber,tense , Non-diagetic music

Faustus is falling victim to a scam

Faustus is dismissing Hell as mere fiction, implying that he rejects the reality of punishment and divine justice

This quote is pivotal in establishing Faustus’ character as one who seeks to transcend the limits of human understanding and reject orthodox Christian teachings. His dismissal of Hell as a "fable" signals his hubris and intellectual arrogance

“Rather illusions fruits of lunacy that makes men foolish”

“fruits of lunacy” is a metaphor. The word "fruits" typically suggests sweet desirable outcomes , but Faustus juxtaposes it with “lunacy,” which refers to madness or folly.

• Irony: There is dramatic irony in Faustus’ words. he recognizes the pursuit of forbidden knowledge as foolish, he still chooses to follow that path, knowing full well the dangers it holds. This creates a tragic irony, as the audience understands that His decision to ignore the consequences makes his fate all the more tragic.

• Enron -”The gap between perception and reality”

What did Marlowe allegedly say about Jesus?

“Jesus Christ was a bastard”

Her lips suck forth my soul

The verb "suck" in this line is significant. It's a physical, almost predatory image, suggesting that Faustus feels as if his soul is being drained or consumed. This act of "sucking forth" implies a loss of control and an irreversible, seductive pull. In the context of the play, Faustus has already sold his soul to the Devil, and this line highlights how he is willingly surrendering more of himself to worldly temptations

Globe:in the same scene Mephistopheles kisses faustus on the forehead

The chorus at the end

The chorus tells us of the wasted potential that was Faustus and urges us to take his fate as a warning not to practise more than heavenly power permits

• alluding to the chorus at the start of Enron