Jackass One & Jackass Two

           I hadn't given the Robin and Dick much attention until Dr. MB mentioned them in class. When reading Act II & III, I starting thinking of their significance. First, they’re hilarious, and I’m sure the people at the plays, even hundreds years ago, needed a little bit of comic relief—especially, with all that Latin that 90% of the audience did not understand.

            It seems as though we often compare the characters of these stories and poems to the “typical” college student; I would say these guys showcase that concept more than any character we have mentioned so far. I mean, what college student is not trying to find liquor for as cheap as possible, or in this case free? Granted, I've never lived on a college campus, but I assume that students try to be slick like these guys and hide the liquor during random dorm checks ( I couldn't avoid chuckling as these morons juggled their stolen goods between one another).

            The best part is that these guys are not even academics nor have they sold their souls to the devil, like Faustus had, but are still seemingly capable of summoning devils. Even Faustus could not summon a devil, instead the devil happened to appear because it was opportune for Hell’s population. 
            So, who is the bigger clown: Faustus or the two other fools, Robin and Dick? Robin and Dick just simply cause havoc and surely caused laughter in the performances hundreds of years ago. But, Faustus is a basic fool. I mean, what is more stupid: a man who is entirely educated giving into careless frivolity or ignorant bozos being, well... ignorant bozos? I'm leaning towards the latter.

Doctor Faustus, the Least Sympathetic Protagonist Ever

I can't pretend to have any love lost for Doctor Faustus. Honestly I think he's jackass. He's a brilliant young(ish) doctor who has cured entire cities of disease. So where's the problem? He's bored. Congrats dude, so am I. Everything else he could study bores him but  magic seems like a good plan. He wants to do amazing things and travel places and perform miracles. That's fair, I get that. But can't he do that a regular old doctor. There are always diseases in foreign places that need to be treated (today's day and age is a prime example of such). Why can't he just travel and work on those? That would at least be helpful. It seems like he thinks that magic is the only great thing he has left to explore which seems a little defeatist. Other than that it seems like his only motivation (other than wanting power so he can be awesome) is boredom. That's a state I don't think anyone should make major life decisions from.

I'm not saying I wouldn't make a deal with the Devil (assuming of course that he actually exists). I think that seriously depends on what's a stake. Would I make a deal for some indeterminate about of time (aka until the day of my death, that seems like a questionable parameter) in exchange for my soul? Hell no. Would I make a deal if it meant saving or protecting one of my siblings? Yes, in a heartbeat. Then I'd like to think that I could listen to the Good Angel, repent and be saved (assuming again that God exists). Faustus is constantly offered the chance to repent and be saved and every time he has basically the same thought process "yeah, that sound's good" and the the Bad Angel speaks and (whether or not his words make sense) immediately Faustus is back on the Devil train. This man can't seem to make up his mind, which is precisely the type of person who probably shouldn't have control of a Devil. But hey, maybe that's just my opinion.

My favorite part of this story is Mephostophilis. Always and without fail. In part I think it's because I love his answer about what Hell is. It's interesting to think about all the others who fell with Lucifer and what they must be feeling in reflection to their decision. That being said he doesn't seem to regret it too terribly. Whether that's all the spirits or just him I don't know. Maybe he just gets a lot of benefits for being Lucifer's right hand man.
Oh, and here is my favorite representation of Mephostophilis. Doctor Who fans should recognize this fellow.

Power now or Misery Forever

Maybe I'm not doing a close enough reading, but what is Faustus' purpose for making a deal with the devil? I understand he wants power etc. But doesn't he know that its wrong? As far as he knows, he could die in three days, or next week, or next month. How much power and evil doing does he plan on doing with an uncertain amount of time left? I am also a little confused as to who Mephistophilis is, is he a demon? I'm thinking he is even though he is referenced as the devil, but he is not Lucifer.

I also couldn't help but thinking about several movies that were based off of this book. Anyone think of Ghost Rider???? He sold his soul to the "devil" who was actually Mephisto so his father wouldn't die of cancer. He later died of  stunt gone wrong. The devil tricked him. Anyone think about the movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus??? Where Dr. Parnassus has sold his soul to the devil and continue to make deals with him throughout the movie? Or what about the ever popular Pirates of the Caribbean??? (I'm pretty sure most people know what the pirates sold their souls for all that gold in the 1st movie).

Faustus seems to be a really educated man. Well not seems to be, but he is. He has all of this education, yet he makes poor decisions. How many times do the angels have to show up for him to realize that he needs to repent his sins to God. Faustus even knows a lot about religion, yet he sells his soul to the DEVIL!!!!!!! Can he not make an educated decision? Scholar 1, Scholar 2, and the two clowns (aka buffoons) know he is making the wrong mistake.

From the previous movies I mentioned and other books, most of these pieces are all similar in some way. Someone sells their soul, they get what they want, after a while they see the fault in their ways. The play even says that misery loves company, that is the only reason why the devil wants his army to be bigger, so more people will be miserable with him. Power and gold seem cool now, but what about what's gonna happen after I die? I don't want my soul to be miserable forever. That's why I don't understand Faustus' way of thinking.

Tisk, tisk, Faustus.

Is it just me, or is the fact that Dr. Faustus looks over the parts of The Bible that refute him hilarious? The best kind of bias is when you ignore evidence that doesn’t match what you want to prove! I can’t help but question how a man who is so educated can be so stupid. (Oh yeah, he is human!) Overall, I don’t think this Faustus guy is very smart. I mean, why is he so excited to have just 24 years of having a servant? Why didn't he ask for at least 100 years?

Dr. Faustus also is very indecisive about this soul-selling business. He wonders if his blood is an omen, and he questions why Lucifer wants his soul, but he dismisses these concerns. Faustus seems to easily accept that he belongs in hell one way or another, and he wants to have fun while he can. The one time he seems to be to closest to going back to reading The Bible and wanting to be saved by God— he has already sold his soul to Lucifer and is forbidden from talking about it. It is unsettling that he keeps second-guessing himself and talking about salvation from God even after he sells his soul, but I guess I would be more concerned if he never questioned his decision. I would probably do the same thing if I did something drastic like that, but hopefully before it was too late.

A friend of mine brought up the idea that “all powerful and knowing” has changed meaning over time. Nowadays, we think it means having an impressive, all-encompassing scholarly comprehension of the world around us. We think that if we knew everything, we would win Jeopardy, end world hunger, and etc. At the time Dr. Faustus was written, “limitless knowledge” meant knowing how to perform dark magic— so pretty much Frankenstein’s monster, water-into-wine, Houdini stunts. What I am trying to say is, this book is pretty cool, even if I am either laughing at or aggravated with Dr. Faustus.

Oh, the indecision.

Faustus seems to me a severe case of ADD. Immediately, he tackles several disciplines of learning. “To dispute well” is logic, which is extremely humorous and accurate. Now, only if he can make people live forever makes being a doctor worth pursuing. The study of law is a “mercenary drudge” not worth exploring. Alas, “when all is done, divinity is best.” He’s indecisive. He quickly changes this mind-frame too, saying that the “reward of sin” as death is too extreme and unrealistic. So naturally, onto magic because “a sound magician is a demigod” which is close enough to divinity, right? In his attempt to leave behind divine studies, he does just the opposite and sparks the good and evil angels’ appearance.

Evil quickly takes over, leaving only a false presence of good, being Mephistophilis in the shape of a friar. Faustus keeps trying to maintain a little good in his world overtaken by the devil.

Back to his ADD nature, Faustus shortly after signing the deed wishes to repent:

“Homo, fuge: whither should [56] I fly?
If unto God, [57] he'll throw me down to hell.
My senses are deceiv'd; here's nothing writ:--
O, yes, I see it plain; even here is writ,
Homo, fuge: yet shall not Faustus fly.”

He is constantly presented with options, yet this hopelessness that there’s nothing more takes over his soul, as it earlier took over his mind. There was no more to learn in philosophy, no more of physical nature, and no point to law. Now, if he were to choose repentance, there would be no purpose as he sees is because the deed is done and God will refuse him. Faustus fails to see the internal satisfaction that may come if he gives up external praise (or more so, force of service.)

On a side note, these are some lines I thought were really awesome:

FAUSTUS: I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live,
To do whatever Faustus shall command,
Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,
Or the ocean to overwhelm the world.

FAUSTUS: How comes it, then, that thou art out of hell?
MEPHIST: Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it:

Also! Wagner can conjure up devils? What?

Faustus Tossit!

After reading scenes I and II of Doctor Faustus, my question would have to be what’s Faustus reasoning behind practicing magic. We get a sense that he is a scholar. He reveals that he has mastered most of the important intellectual aspects and there is nothing left for him. He has learned philosophy, and he has medical skills, AND he has mastered law (show off). What more is left?

In fact, he ALSO reads from the bible. He claims that the reward of sin is death and if people think they are not sinners, they are deceived. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (pg. 5, line 40). Thus, he turns to magic because he cannot stand anymore “theological theories”. Faustus might also turn to magic to discover his greater good, maybe even his greater power. He is dealing with the sins that he has made. He has to think if he should accept the devils offer, of signing in blood to gain knowledge for 24 hours for his soul. Gaining greater good and power may be left for Factus.

Essentially, this play reminds me of The Pardoners Tale. This entire first scene dealt with sin and death. Faustus is trying to escape death. On one hand he doesn’t believe in death then on the other hand he tries many times to escape it. “DEATH IS THE ROOT TO ALL EVIL”! This idea comes into play here. Additionally, there is a good and evil angel that appears in this scene. It seems as though, when Faustus is making a decision about something, both angels appear, to help him figure out exactly what he needs to do.

Lastly, we get the perspective of Wagner. He tries to use logic to help two scholars find Faustus. Scholar one states, “I fear me nothing will reclaim him now” (pg. 12, Line 40). Both scholars use the word “reclaim”. I feel and think that both scholars can agree, that the use of this magic is going to screw Faustus in the end. However, this scene with the two scholars seemed very pointless to the play and didn’t belong.

No Limits - What knowledge is a Man allowed?

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?  

A Damned Deal with the Damn Devil

Christopher Marlowe's play Doctor Faustus deals with the themes of sin and repent. Throughout sections of the play the main character Doctor Faustus struggles with the choices that he makes. Specifically (and I believe most importantly), over the pact he decides to make with Lucifer (or the devil or the fallen angel or prince of devils ("What's in a name? that which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet")). When I think of Doctor Faustus deciding whether to make a deal with Lucifer or not, I immediately think of angel and the devil that were always trying to persuade Pluto from the mickey mouse cartoon (if you do not know what I am referring to, please see the images below). However, unlike in the cartoon where Pluto is struggling with his self- conscious, in the play it is the servant of Lucifer (and later Doctor Faustus himself), Mephostophilis, who tries to subtly persuade Doctor Faustus from selling his soul to Lucifer in exchange for Mephostophilis' temporary servitude to him. When Doctor Faustus requests Mephostophilis' servitude to him, Mephostophilis replies "I am a servant to great Lucifer/ And may not follow thee without his leave./ No more than he commands must we perform" (ll.39-41).

Thinking about what I would do if I were presented with the same opportunity that Doctor Faustus was offered. I believe that I would turn down Lucifer's offer.  What would you do? However, one of the reasons that Doctor Faustus accepted Lucifer's offer was because Mephostophilis had knowledge that Doctor Faustus wanted to obtain. most scholars strive to know as much as possible, they get a thrill out of learning and expanding their knowledge and Doctor Faustus was no different. the knowledge that was available to him to obtain was too great for him to pass up. It was his own ambition that led him to ultimately make the decision that he made to sell his soul to Lucifer. Was Doctor Faustus so driven by his yearn for knowledge that he chose to be eternally damned or was it purely his pride, that he could know more than the living human should, that led him to ultimately make the decision that he did?

http://www.bartleby.com/70/3822.html

Deal or No Deal?

I've been faced with the question of making a deal with the devil in high school. I attended one of those strict catholic schools where God was glorious and Lucifer was a bad spoiled brat with daddy issues. During a lesson on morals, my teacher asked if people would make a deal with the devil if they had the chance. As you could’ve guessed, most the class said no deal. The pride on my teachers face was evident.

           

Yet, when the moment had passed, I questioned the truth behind our words. To this day, I still don’t know what my answer should be. Not until the moment presented itself, would I. The decision is the greatest act of selflessness or selfishness. I can understand when people say they’d volunteer themselves to save someone they love. It is a selfless act. Then again, I can also understand when someone volunteer’s their soul to become immortal, powerful, intelligent beyond human ability. It reflects the selfishness in humanity.

This war between selfishness and selflessness manifests around Faustus with his visits from the good and bad angels. Both sides have valid points for Faustus to consider before he makes the deal. On page 20, the good angel tries to keep Faustus from hell by saying, “Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things” (ll. 21-22). Meanwhile, the bad angel tempts him to think, “No Faustus, think of honor and of wealth” (ll.23). Their external appearance signifies the internal war Faustus fights regarding what is right and what is wrong.

Faustus is a confused man too easily tempted by power, vengeance and desire. He thinks it’s possible to change his life for the better by hiring a demon servant to do his will without considering the consequences behind it. Does he actually know what he’s gotten into with Lucifer? Hells-belles no. Lucifer is a tricky bastard as far as I’m concerned. He’s going to get you one way or another because that’s what he’s known to do.

I find it funny that the demon Faustus calls upon, Mephostophilis, tries to make him see it’s a bad idea to sell your soul. You will be eternally damned aka very unhappy when you die. No more cheesecake for you or long walks on the beach. Fiery living quarters and eternal servitude await instead. So, I guess my true feelings toward the deal are actually apparent now. I would not make a deal with Lucifer, unless something worth sacrificing myself for appeared. Until that moment presents itself, I don’t know what that something could be.