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Unit 10: Doctor Faustus: Morality Play

urging him to repent and serve God, the evil angel urging him to follow his lust for power and serve Notes
Lucifer. The two symbolize his divided will, part of which wants to do good and part of which is sunk
in sin. A close examination shows that the Evil Angel declines in importance as the play advances. The
angles work by suggestion, as allegorical characters in morality plays do.

Blood
Blood plays multiple symbolic roles in the play. When Faustus signs away his soul, he signs in blood,
symbolizing the permanent and supernatural nature of this pact. His blood congeals on the page,
however, symbolizing, perhaps, his own body’s revolt against what he intends to do. Meanwhile,
Christ’s blood, which Faustus says he sees running across the sky during his terrible last night,
symbolizes the sacrifice that Jesus, according to Christian belief, made on the cross; this sacrifice opened
the way for humankind to repent its sins and be saved. Faustus, of course, in his proud folly, fails to
take this path to salvation.

10.2.5 The Pageant of Seven Deadly Sins

The audience also observes the pageant of the Seven Deadly Sins in Doctor Faustus. This is another
feature borrowed by Marlowe from the tradition of the morality play. In Marlowe’s play, to divert
Faustus’ attention from Christ, his savior, Lucifer, comes with his attendant devils to rebuke him for
invoking Christ and then presents the pageant of the Seven Deadly Sins as a diversion. The following
are the deadly sins as described in Bible.

Pride

Seeing ourselves as we are and not comparing ourselves to others is humility. Pride and vanity are
competitive. If someone else’s pride really bothers you, you have a lot of pride.

Envy

“Love is patient, love is kind…” Love actively seeks the good of others for their sake. Envy resents the
good others receive or even might receive. Envy is almost indistinguishable from pride at times.

Wrath/Anger

Kindness means taking the tender approach, with patience and compassion. Anger is often our first
reaction to the problems of others. Impatience with the faults of others is related to this.

Sloth

Zeal is the energetic response of the heart to God’s commands. The other sins work together to deaden
the spiritual senses so we first become slow to respond to God and then drift completely into the sleep
of complacency.

Avarice/Greed
This is about more than money. Generosity means letting others get the credit or praise. It is giving
without having expectations of the other person. Greed wants to get its “fair share” or a bit more.
Gluttony

Temperance accepts the natural limits of pleasures and preserves this natural balance. This does not
pertain only to food, but to entertainment and other legitimate goods, and even the company of others.

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