Introduction

Power is one of the key themes of Faustus. Faustus signs his contract with Lucifer in order to attain more power, and many character relationships can be looked at through the lens of power. While Faustus believes he has power over Mepho, it becomes increasingly obvious this is a ploy by Mepho, who has true control of Faustus as he grants the power. The play shows us that the only ones with true power are God and Lucifer, and mortals cannot achieve such power without damnation.

Desire for power

‘A sound magician is a demi-God’ - This is said during Faustus’ opening soliloquy in Act 1.1, showing him justifying his greed for power. Faustus believes that magic is the closest a mortal can get to God. ‘a sound‘ implies they must be mentally sound/ prepared. However, being mentally sound means you would not be able to sell your soul to Lucifer, as damnation is not a fate you would accept. This implies that no one can reach this demi-God status, as no one sane can become a magician. This is said during his opening soliloquy in Act 1.1, showing him justifying his greed for power.
‘Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, and search all corners of the new found world‘ - This is said in 1.1, a soliloquy while Faustus waits for Valdes and Cornelius. He shows his insane goals to the crowd in order to justify his own deeds. ‘ransack‘ is a violent term, showing that Faustus means to use his power in violent ways. ‘pearl‘ is a materialistic want, showing Faustus greed. Additionally, ‘new found world‘ links to the renaissance, showing that Faustus is aiming to achieve the power that all men are attempting to achieve, that his aims are not unique. Additionally, he accomplishes none of these things once he has achieved his power, showing that he is actually not that power.
‘reign sole King‘ - He said this during his second 1.1 soliloquy, while waiting for Valdes and Cornelius, which shows him preparing himself for their arrival. This is the highest a man can ever rise up the Great Chain of Being, showing that angels and God are untouchable. His desire to rise up the chain links to power as he can control the country, however becoming a King is only inherited, and a magician can not become a King. Additionally, the closest Faustus ever comes to becoming a King was when he entertained the German Emperor, where all he received was praise and no legitimate power. This satiates Faustus, who seems to prefer approval to physical reward.
‘be thy slave and wait on thee‘ - Mephostophilis in 2.1 while attempting to get Faustus to sign this contract. ‘slave‘ gives Faustus utter control of Mepho, something which he in fact doesn’t have. This is Mephostophilis exaggerating to Faustus, which he falls for due to his constant past truth. Faustus is tempted by the idea of total power, and power of a demon would be even more tempting.

Tricks

‘These are but shadows, not substantial‘ - this is said in 4.2, when Faustus is summoning Alexander and his paramour in order to entertain the Emperor. ‘not substantial‘ is an overview of all of his conjuring, as it is unable to have any meaningful real world effect. This enforces the idea Faustus’ power are just for show, and he achieves none of his original flashy goals.
‘snatches it‘ - this happens in 3.2, when Faustus is mocking the Pope. It shows him using his power in order to tease someone by stealing their drink, which an extremely childish act. This tells us Faustus may be unable to do anything more drastic against the Pope, and must revert to annoying him.
‘He never left eating til he had eat up all my load of hay’ - Said in 4.6 by a carter describing Faustus. Shows he has moved down the chain of being, as he is acting like an animal. Also shows him using silly tricks to fool people below him on the chain, showing that he has no power against those above him.
‘I’ll clap as fair a pair of horns on’s head’ - Said by Robin in 2.3 to Dick. Can be compared to 4.2 when Faustus puts horns on Benvolio’s head as a punishment for making fun of him. Faustus says ‘I’ll play Diana and send you the horns presently‘. This is a reference to the story of a hunter who saw the goddess Diana bathing naked, and was turned into a stag and killed by his own hounds as punishment. Horns on the head are also said to reference a cuckold - a man whose wife has cheated on him. This is a silly trick that yields no benefit for Faustus and is extremely childish, and shows he falls into the same mindset as the servants did when they first got their skills in conjuring.

Power over Faustus

‘I saw him kneel‘ - this happens in 4.3, when Faustus is visiting the Emperor. This shows Faustus bowing to the Emperor, therefore admitting his power over him. The Emperor is just below angels on the Great Chain of Being, showing Faustus respects this chain, even as he aims to rebel against it. Therefore, his power has not meaningfully changed, as he stays below God, Lucifer, Emperor and other Lords.
‘Mephostophilis, transform him‘ - happens in 4.4, when Faustus is performing a conjuring to impress the Emperor and gives Benvolio horns. He has to ask Mepho in order to revert him back to his normal state, showing Faustus does not possess this power on his own. While Mepho obeys, he could easily choose not to, therefore showing Faustus lack of control and power.

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A-Level English Literature WJEC

Theme: Power

Introduction

Desire for power

‘A sound magician is a demi-God’ - This is said during Faustus’ opening soliloquy in Act 1.1, showing him justifying his greed for power. Faustus believes that magic is the closest a mortal can get to God. ‘a sound‘ implies they must be mentally sound/ prepared. However, being mentally sound means you would not be able to sell your soul to Lucifer, as damnation is not a fate you would accept. This implies that no one can reach this demi-God status, as no one sane can become a magician. This is said during his opening soliloquy in Act 1.1, showing him justifying his greed for power.
‘Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, and search all corners of the new found world‘ - This is said in 1.1, a soliloquy while Faustus waits for Valdes and Cornelius. He shows his insane goals to the crowd in order to justify his own deeds. ‘ransack‘ is a violent term, showing that Faustus means to use his power in violent ways. ‘pearl‘ is a materialistic want, showing Faustus greed. Additionally, ‘new found world‘ links to the renaissance, showing that Faustus is aiming to achieve the power that all men are attempting to achieve, that his aims are not unique. Additionally, he accomplishes none of these things once he has achieved his power, showing that he is actually not that power.
‘reign sole King‘ - He said this during his second 1.1 soliloquy, while waiting for Valdes and Cornelius, which shows him preparing himself for their arrival. This is the highest a man can ever rise up the Great Chain of Being, showing that angels and God are untouchable. His desire to rise up the chain links to power as he can control the country, however becoming a King is only inherited, and a magician can not become a King. Additionally, the closest Faustus ever comes to becoming a King was when he entertained the German Emperor, where all he received was praise and no legitimate power. This satiates Faustus, who seems to prefer approval to physical reward.
‘be thy slave and wait on thee‘ - Mephostophilis in 2.1 while attempting to get Faustus to sign this contract. ‘slave‘ gives Faustus utter control of Mepho, something which he in fact doesn’t have. This is Mephostophilis exaggerating to Faustus, which he falls for due to his constant past truth. Faustus is tempted by the idea of total power, and power of a demon would be even more tempting.

Tricks

‘These are but shadows, not substantial‘ - this is said in 4.2, when Faustus is summoning Alexander and his paramour in order to entertain the Emperor. ‘not substantial‘ is an overview of all of his conjuring, as it is unable to have any meaningful real world effect. This enforces the idea Faustus’ power are just for show, and he achieves none of his original flashy goals.
‘snatches it‘ - this happens in 3.2, when Faustus is mocking the Pope. It shows him using his power in order to tease someone by stealing their drink, which an extremely childish act. This tells us Faustus may be unable to do anything more drastic against the Pope, and must revert to annoying him.
‘He never left eating til he had eat up all my load of hay’ - Said in 4.6 by a carter describing Faustus. Shows he has moved down the chain of being, as he is acting like an animal. Also shows him using silly tricks to fool people below him on the chain, showing that he has no power against those above him.
‘I’ll clap as fair a pair of horns on’s head’ - Said by Robin in 2.3 to Dick. Can be compared to 4.2 when Faustus puts horns on Benvolio’s head as a punishment for making fun of him. Faustus says ‘I’ll play Diana and send you the horns presently‘. This is a reference to the story of a hunter who saw the goddess Diana bathing naked, and was turned into a stag and killed by his own hounds as punishment. Horns on the head are also said to reference a cuckold - a man whose wife has cheated on him. This is a silly trick that yields no benefit for Faustus and is extremely childish, and shows he falls into the same mindset as the servants did when they first got their skills in conjuring.

Power over Faustus

‘I saw him kneel‘ - this happens in 4.3, when Faustus is visiting the Emperor. This shows Faustus bowing to the Emperor, therefore admitting his power over him. The Emperor is just below angels on the Great Chain of Being, showing Faustus respects this chain, even as he aims to rebel against it. Therefore, his power has not meaningfully changed, as he stays below God, Lucifer, Emperor and other Lords.
‘Mephostophilis, transform him‘ - happens in 4.4, when Faustus is performing a conjuring to impress the Emperor and gives Benvolio horns. He has to ask Mepho in order to revert him back to his normal state, showing Faustus does not possess this power on his own. While Mepho obeys, he could easily choose not to, therefore showing Faustus lack of control and power.

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