In the opening deal with Lucifer, Faustus gives up his soul in exchanged for Knowledge. While this Knowledge takes the form of many books and not fruit, I immediately compared Faustus to Adam, the first man. Faustus' deal is straightforward, sign in blood and you will gain all knowledge for 24 years in exchange for your soul forever. Adam, however, didn't know until after eating the apple that his immortal soul was gone forever. As he is kicked out of the garden of Eden, he becomes a mortal man and one knowledgeable of Sin. The remainder of Adam's life is spent in turmoil as he works to provide for his family. Faustus has no ties to anywhere, no loyalties he has to feel. However, even with infinite power, Faustus still sees a need to align himself with figures of authority, and tries in no way to become an emperor of any kind. Faustus has no wife, and cannot ever wed once his pact has been made, since only God can allow unity of two people. Thus, Faustus is doomed to always be alone without a human companion, much as Adam is alone without God.
This leads me to my question: What knowledge is Man allowed to have? All Faustus learns of is about the earth and the universe, any questions about the Heavens, Mephistopheles cannot answer. Thus, what has Faustus really gained in Knowledge that cannot be reached by man today? Adam learned of Sin, and for that he had to be punished by God, but what of Faustus? Why was he not allowed to be redeemed in the final scene? What has Faustus learned that should be "forbidden?" because even the original books on dark magic that he found were written by men. All the books were written by men, nothing was done by God. In fact, no God or angels were seen throughout the play besides the single Good Angel. Lucifer, Beelzebub and Mephistopheles seem to have nothing better going on than doing whatever Faustus wants, but God is absent. What has Faustus done to God to is unforgivable? What has Faustus truly learned?
Chad,
ReplyDeleteThough I cannot answer all of your questions, I would like to tackle a few. It is believed and emphasized by the "good angel" that God forgives all for all sins, but is this just for physical acts? Faustus seemed to be seeking forgiveness for the sin of giving his soul to the devil, but what about for his sin of lacking faith in both himself and God? Though his lack of faith my not have been a physical action, it lead him to give in to the temptation of the devil. Perhaps, that is what is unforgivable. If Faustus has learned anything, I hope it is that.
You raise some interesting questions, but I’d like to play Devil’s Advocate (haha, I’m Faustus) to your argument. Adam was never really without God, even after he ate the fruit and gained the knowledge of sin. He was punished, yes, but never without God. Freewill is a pretty important concept you have to consider when talking about this subject because, while God is always there and has a plan for you…he gives you the option to follow it. And each time you stray and ask for forgiveness, you are forgiven. The difference is, Faustus never asked for forgiveness. He has those moments when he considers it, sure, but he always chooses the Knowledge. It’s not really about the books he read, or the things he learned. He never realized that sometimes knowledge is destructive. He gains knowledge of “everything.” But one thing evades him: the knowledge that his will is not the only way. And more importantly, the fact that he can always be forgiven.
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