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British Drama

Notes 5. In his descent into wickedness, the ruined Faustus committed all of the ..........

6. By using the words “seven deadly sins,” it suggests that there are serious .........
flaws.
7. God has indicated that these are things that he despises and that every ......... is
sin.
State whether the following statements are true or false:
8. Even though God has provided a remedy for sin, then how can it be deadly?
9. Anger is manifested by fits of wrath and rage due to intolerance of others.
10. In Romans, Paul indicates that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God.

12.2 Marlowe’s Cardinal Sins

Marlowe has ordered seven cardinal sins in his play Doctor Faustus, viz. pride, covetousness, envy,
wrath, gluttony, sloth, and lechery.

12.2.1 Pride

Faustus is proud of his knowledge. Pride, creates Doctor Faustus’ inability to repent, therefore
ultimately resulting in his death. “His fall is caused by the same pride and ambition that caused the
fall of angels in heaven, and of humanity in the Garden of Eden.”. Faustus’ fall is foreshadowed
during his first encounter with a devil, inquiring of the reason for Lucifer’s exile in hell.
FAUSTUS: How comes it then that he is prince of devils?
MEPHASTOPHILIS: O, by aspiring pride and insolence
For which God threw him from the face of Heaven.
An eternity in hell becomes Doctor Faustus’ fate, a fate determined by his own irrational decisions.
Although he is a well-educated scholar, traits of arrogance, selfishness, and pride hinder his
judgment. Doctor Faustus’ troubles begin when he craves power and knowledge beyond human
capacity. Bored with his great knowledge, he wishes to find another subject to study to pacify himself
and achieve happiness.

Example: FAUSTUS: Then read no more, thou hast attained the end;
A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit.
By making a deal with the devil, Faustus trades his soul for satisfaction, and a greater field of study.
He is selfish—wanting knowledge, power, and fun without having to work or take responsibility
for it. As result of his selfish desires, he signs a contract with his blood trading his soul for his
desires, eternal peace for eternal anguish, thus beginning his hardships.
Throughout the twenty-four year period in which Faustus has power and knowledge, his pride is
constant and emerges in several scenes. Evidence of this threatening pride begins as early as the
prologue when the chorus compares Doctor Faustus with Icarus, their similarity being vanity.
This excerpt suggests, that like Icarus, Doctor Faustus’ pride will lead to his overthrow. Other
examples of Faustus’ arrogance are the scenes in which he comments on the things that the devil
shows him. Several times in the play, Faustus remarks that hat Mephastophilis shows or tells him
could easily be figured out by his own student, Wagner.
To make a statement such as that is egotistical, and typical of his character. Other statements that
Doctor Faustus made in which his egotism is apparent.

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