dramatic change in Doctor Faustus. Faustus was indeed a tragic hero. Many
scholars and literary experts may debate that, because this play was written in
the Renaissance, Christopher Marlowe intended that Doctor Faustus be seen as a
martyr trying to attain that which was forbidden to man in a time when doing so
was the noble thing to do. This is not true, however. Doctor Faustus was a
tragic hero through and through, and the way that he presents himself in the
play is solid evidence for this. To begin with, he feels that he can justify his
turning to witchcraft and necromancy by his gaining of all other knowledges. The
irony here is that he never did, or he would have realized that even after he
had committed blasphemy by conjuring spirits, he could have turned back to God.
He also is a tragic hero because of his methods of using his new power. Instead
of using it to attain the secrets of the universe, he plays petty tricks and
tomfoolery on various important people around the world, including the pope and
the German emperor. Finally, he proved his tragic nature by trying to move above
and beyond the limitations set by God himself. Faustus knew that he had to abide
by certain laws and rules that God set aside for all of mankind. Faustus knew
his limitations, and thus by trying to break those, he damned himself to eternal
torment. Ironically, Faustus could have been the most incredible human being who
ever lived. If he had repented, the world would have seen that God is truly
merciful because he forgave such a blasphemous heathen as Faustus. Faustus could
have become an example for all of mankind and proven that if he could be
forgiven, then all could be forgiven. However, because he was stubborn,
ignorant, and blind, he refused to see that he was never truly damned until he
was drug by the devils into the heart of hell itself.