Introduction

Dr Faustus is a play that both defends and attacks Christian ideas. Faustus himself disputes heaven and praises hell on multiple occasions. The main target of this is Catholicism, which is attacked on multiple occasions throughout the play, such as when Mepho and Faustus scared the Pope.

Pro-religion/ God

• ‘deprived of the eternal joys of heaven‘ - said by Mepho to Faustus when discussing heaven in 1.3. This shows that not only can Mepho no longer experience heaven, but it gives him physical pain. This can also said to be reverse psychology, however, as Faustus wanted to dispute Mepho’s claim.

• ‘move me not, Faustus‘ - said by Mepho to Faustus in 2.2, when Faustus asked Mepho to tell him who made the world. Mepho refuses to tell Faustus, as the answer is God, and therefore goes against hell. Mepho will not be moved, no matter how much Faustus tries.

• ‘homo fuge‘ this is the inscription that appears on Faustus arm when he tries to sign his soul over to the Devil in 2.1. It is made in the blood that he tries to use to sign said contract. This is done by God, in order to deter Faustus from signing. ‘home fuge‘ means ‘wither should I fly‘. This cannot imply Faustus should fly upwards to God by participating in Holy acts, insted of falling to the devil, or could be a reference to the story off Icarus. Icarus was given wax wings by his father, and although warned not to go to close to the sun, did so anyway in his excitement. This resulted in his wings melted, and him falling into the ocean. This could be a metaphor for how Faustus is too greedy for power, therefore aims for the highest power, magic.

• ‘my blood congeals‘ this happens in 2.1, when Faustus tries to sign the contract. This is a sign from God to prevent Faustus from signing the contract, however he does so anyway after this intervention.

Anti-Christian/ devil

• ‘I think Hell’s a fable‘ - said by Faustus in 2.1 when talking to Mepho after signing the contract. This could be overconfidence, as he feels powerful after signing such a contract, or him trying to comfort himself due to his fear of hell and damnation. This also means he thinks there is no punishment for his sins, and that God and the Church are lying.

• ‘I’ll willingly be damned‘ - said by Faustus in 2.1 during the same conversation with Mepho. He shows no regard for the cost of damnation and therefore prefers hell to heaven, even when Mepho disputes his claims. This reinforces the idea he is attempting to comfort himself from the fear of eternal suffering.

Anti-Catholicism

• ‘crouch before Papal dignity‘ - said by Pope Adrian to Bruno during 3.1, when he forces Bruno to serve as his footstool. ‘crouch‘ forces Bruno in a praying position, showing that the Pope wants Bruno to pray to him instead of God. This shows he believes himself to be equal to or better than God. Additionally, he refers to himself as ‘dignity‘, therefore royalty, showing again how powerful he sees himself.

• ‘proud Lucifer‘ is how Bruno refers to Pope Adrian in 3.1, as he is forced to be a footstool. This is due to the evil he is committing by stealing what should be his position. Equating the head of Catholicism to Lucifer is done to show how Catholicism is evil, as the head of it can easily commit reprehensible acts with no consequences. Lucifer is also shown as the antithesis of God, therefore labelling the Pope as anti-God.