Overview

Faustus commits many sins throughout the play, including many of the seven deadly sins. Additionally, he commits the sin of despair and demonality. Other characters also commit sin, and we see each of these characters get penance for their sins, hinting towards Faustus own fate.

Sins by Faustus

• Pride/greed/envy: ‘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. Shows his greed for power, pride in his belief he can be the greatest King and any of any hypothetical other Kings.

• Pride: ‘Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude‘ - said by Faustus in 1.3 when Mephostophilis describes the punishments of hell to him. This tells us how selfish and prideful Faustus is, as he truly believes he is strong enough to withstand hell where Mephostophilis is not. It also shows him ignoring Mephostophilis warning, placing the blame on himself. Faustus believes himself to have mental strength above that of demons/ the devil himself.

  • ‘thou art conjurer laureate‘ - Faustus says this after summoning Mepho in 1.3, his first act as a conjurer. This shows his pride in himself, that he instantly believes himself to be the best at something he has only just attempted. This is silly of him to say, as Dick and Robin manage to conjure up Mepho too, showing it is simple to do such a thing. Also shows he believes he has control over Mepho, when he is ultimately given all his power via him.

• Wrath: ‘pitch them headlong to the lowest hell‘ - Said by Faustus in 4.3 to Mepho, telling him and other demons what to do to Benvolio and his friends. While their act is caused by wrath, so is Faustus. Foreshadowing to his future fate, as while their hell is temporary his will be permanent.

  • ‘I’ll play Diana and send you the horns presently‘. Said in 4.2 by Faustus to Benvolio after he mocks him. 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. He does this in response to Benvolio’s mocking, showing his wrath at mocking.

• Gluttony/greed: ‘a world of profit and delight‘ - Said by Faustus in his 1.1 soliloquy, discussing what he desires. He decides he wants profit and delight, showing his gluttony and greed. All he desires is money, and has no moral thoughts.

• Despair: ‘Faustus goes to use the dagger‘

  • ‘damn’d, despair and die!‘ - Said by Faustus in 5.1 when confronted by the old man. Faustus believes he is damned and therefore should die, instead of seeking repentance as the old man pleads for him to do. The ! shows his determination in his fate, and the plosive alliteration shows his desperation and belief in what he says.

• Conjuring: ‘Mephostophilis, transform him‘

  • ‘be thy slave and wait on me‘ - 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.

• Blasphemy: ‘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.

• Demonality/lechery: ‘Her lips suck forth my soul‘ - Said in 5.1, when Helen is summoned to be Faustus paramour. ‘suck‘ has sexual implications. The sucking of the soul can be compared to what the devil is doing to Faustus, taking his soul. This act with Helen is seen as demonality and her being a succubus who tempted Faustus, however he commanded her to be brought to him. This causes the old man to give up on him, showing how disturbing this sin is seen as.

  • ‘glut the longing of my heart’s desire‘ - Said by Faustus to Helen in 5.1. ‘glut‘ implying the sin of gluttony, showing Faustus in indulging in his desires of Helen, even though he knows they are immoral and sinful.

Sins of others

• Pope:

  • Pride: ‘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. He is punished by Faustus for these crimes.

• Benvolio:

  • ‘Faustus’ death shall quit my infamy‘ - Said by Benvolio in 4.3, showing his wrath at Faustus and his embarrassment. It also shows his pride in himself, as an insult to this causes his wrath. However, only God should have control over life and death, even over sinners. Benvolio and his friends are punished for their attempt on Faustus life by suffering great pain and forced to hide away in a castle for fear of mockery.