In order to be considered an Aristotelian tragic hero, the protagonist must exert a hubris, which is an excessive pride and disrespect for the natural order of the world. Both Faustus and Dorian display arrogance as their hubris’, which is one factor contributing to their inevitable nemesis of damnation.
Marlowe contextualises the play through the use of a Chorus, and thus dictates to the audience the extremity of a rogue tragic hero whose pursuit of absolute knowledge leads him to his damnation. Having enriched himself in the ‘fruitful plot of scholarism’ (l.15-16) and become ‘ravished’ (l.103) by philosophy, the use of a traditional Greek tragedy chorus by Marlowe expresses the cataclysmic repercussions of Faustus’ unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The Chorus, being a typical feature of Greek Tragedies, gives insight to the audience of the true effects of Faustus’ hubris by conveying their belief that he is ‘glutted now with learning’s golden gifts’ (l.23) and thus ‘surfeits upon cursed necromancy.’ …show more content…
to the indulgent sensual’.[ Davis, D.R (1992). Scenes of madness - a psychiatrist at the theatre, Routledge] HOD/FRANKENSTIEN? A struggle is also apparent in Dorian Gray which is portrayed using figurative language by Wilde in which young Dorian begins to realise the ‘brevity’ (p.23) of youth, leading him to his hubris. Admiring the portrait of himself that his friend Basil Hallward painted for him, his cheeks ‘flushed’ (p.23) and ‘joy came into his eyes’ (p.23). The word ‘flush’ (p.23) provides connotations of something filled, expressing figuratively how the ‘look of joy’ (p.23) was visible to those surrounding him. However, similarly to Faustus who becomes fixated with knowledge,
Marlowe contextualises the play through the use of a Chorus, and thus dictates to the audience the extremity of a rogue tragic hero whose pursuit of absolute knowledge leads him to his damnation. Having enriched himself in the ‘fruitful plot of scholarism’ (l.15-16) and become ‘ravished’ (l.103) by philosophy, the use of a traditional Greek tragedy chorus by Marlowe expresses the cataclysmic repercussions of Faustus’ unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The Chorus, being a typical feature of Greek Tragedies, gives insight to the audience of the true effects of Faustus’ hubris by conveying their belief that he is ‘glutted now with learning’s golden gifts’ (l.23) and thus ‘surfeits upon cursed necromancy.’ …show more content…
to the indulgent sensual’.[ Davis, D.R (1992). Scenes of madness - a psychiatrist at the theatre, Routledge] HOD/FRANKENSTIEN? A struggle is also apparent in Dorian Gray which is portrayed using figurative language by Wilde in which young Dorian begins to realise the ‘brevity’ (p.23) of youth, leading him to his hubris. Admiring the portrait of himself that his friend Basil Hallward painted for him, his cheeks ‘flushed’ (p.23) and ‘joy came into his eyes’ (p.23). The word ‘flush’ (p.23) provides connotations of something filled, expressing figuratively how the ‘look of joy’ (p.23) was visible to those surrounding him. However, similarly to Faustus who becomes fixated with knowledge,