Doctor Faustus paradox of power
Paradox of Power Marlowe’s presentation of the Faust theme in, Doctor Faustus, can be interpreted and divided into many sub-topics. One example of these sub-topics is the idea of a “Paradox of Power”. Briefly discussing the idea of a “Paradox of Power” to Marlowe’s play would be referring to concept that as Faustus becomes more powerful, he is actually becoming less powerful. This paradox of power can be relating to several larger allegories on the subject. This paper however, will only discuss some of these different views and interpretations, which Marlowe might have been trying symbolize through the use of the character Faustus. Before discussing the larger aspects of the “Paradox of Power”, the foreground of how the paradox is created, and what the paradox refers to, in Doctor Faustus must be established. A broad example of this paradox is Faustus selling Lucifer his soul to gain power, when he is actually losing powers by doing so. In the play Faustus attempts to conger up Mephistopheles in order to make him his servant. In actuality Mephistopheles appears before Faustus “in hope to get his glorious soul”(1. ... 46-51) because Faustus has abjured his faith in God, and in order for Faustus to control Mephistopheles, he must sell his soul to Lucifer. With a contract made up in his own blood, Faustus gives up his soul to Lucifer in exchange for control of Mephistopheles, magical power, knowledge, love and other self-indulgences. This agreement with the Lucifer is given the life span of twenty-four years, at the expiration of this time frame Lucifer will take Faustus’s soul and Faustus is dammed to hell.