In the story of Dr. Faustus, Faustus becomes unsatisfied with his usual books of
medicine, law, and logic, he, in turn, invests his time in dark magic. He makes a pact with the
Devil in return for power. Macbeth also becomes a victim of power when he meets the witches
and they tell him of his future prophecy as king. He then focuses on his “future” and becomes
focused on becoming the most powerful being in Scotland. Because of the supernatural forces
that seduce them to corruption, their desire for power is what lead to their downfall. In this essay,
I will discuss the roles Dr. Faustus and Macbeth play as characters who strive for power and in
result end with corruption. Both characters coming in contact with the supernatural …show more content…
Dr. Faustus started seeking all his riches of
interest for pleasure, by things like obedience from all beings, slaying his enemies, and getting
anything he desires. He could be seen as a being who becomes saturated with temptation for a
new lifestyle. In doing so, he became glutted with the idea of power by his influences which lead
him to becoming a submissive human being to Lucifer by having sold his soul to him in regard to
gain ultimate power for twenty-four years. In the story of Macbeth, he also becomes in contact with the supernatural. The witches
introduced in the play become important figures as their function is to predict Macbeth’s fate and
mislead him to false assumptions. Unlike Dr. Faustus who makes a pact with the devil, Macbeth
was undertaken by the witches when one said, “All hail, Macbeth, they shalt be king
hereafter”(pg. 17). He became infatuated with their words of his future prophecy which soon
lead to his insolence as thane of Glamis, Cawdor and king. It should be noted that before coming
across these witches, he was serving as a brave general by defending his country against the
rebels and the army of Norway (pg. 21). It then raises the question if Macbeth …show more content…
Faustus shows us that he was really assured of his decisions by making the remark stating “Had I many souls as there be starts, I’d give them all for Mephistopheles by him I’ll be great Emperor of the world … and both contributory to my crown”( Pg.14). He clearly demonstrates that he wasn’t influenced by his friends, but by his own selfish will for power. Another argument that shows clearly that Dr. Faustus was indeed not manipulated by anyone but on his own stance for the devil saying,“that Mephistophilis may appear and rise..and the sign of the cross which now I make, and by our on prayer, may Mephistophilis now summoned by us arise!”(Pg.11). Mephistophilis did not appear on his behalf to convert Dr. Faustus to dark magic and send him to hell. Indeed he made the decision that God wasn’t his way of life, but his own selfish crime for earthly pleasures. Lucifer did not force him to do anything against his will. It even seems that Mephistophilis is still in gods favor because he declares “O’ by aspiring pride and insolence; For which God threw him from the face of Heaven”(Pg.13). Meaning that Lucifer, his master, was still in a lower position than God himself. Subtle statements after that, provide that Mephistophilis gave several warnings to Dr. Faustus about the condemnations of hell. Mephistophilis words weren’t the only signs provided,for him to not sale his soul, for example the “Homo huge” letters that appeared on his arm. This could be interpreted as a message for
medicine, law, and logic, he, in turn, invests his time in dark magic. He makes a pact with the
Devil in return for power. Macbeth also becomes a victim of power when he meets the witches
and they tell him of his future prophecy as king. He then focuses on his “future” and becomes
focused on becoming the most powerful being in Scotland. Because of the supernatural forces
that seduce them to corruption, their desire for power is what lead to their downfall. In this essay,
I will discuss the roles Dr. Faustus and Macbeth play as characters who strive for power and in
result end with corruption. Both characters coming in contact with the supernatural …show more content…
Dr. Faustus started seeking all his riches of
interest for pleasure, by things like obedience from all beings, slaying his enemies, and getting
anything he desires. He could be seen as a being who becomes saturated with temptation for a
new lifestyle. In doing so, he became glutted with the idea of power by his influences which lead
him to becoming a submissive human being to Lucifer by having sold his soul to him in regard to
gain ultimate power for twenty-four years. In the story of Macbeth, he also becomes in contact with the supernatural. The witches
introduced in the play become important figures as their function is to predict Macbeth’s fate and
mislead him to false assumptions. Unlike Dr. Faustus who makes a pact with the devil, Macbeth
was undertaken by the witches when one said, “All hail, Macbeth, they shalt be king
hereafter”(pg. 17). He became infatuated with their words of his future prophecy which soon
lead to his insolence as thane of Glamis, Cawdor and king. It should be noted that before coming
across these witches, he was serving as a brave general by defending his country against the
rebels and the army of Norway (pg. 21). It then raises the question if Macbeth …show more content…
Faustus shows us that he was really assured of his decisions by making the remark stating “Had I many souls as there be starts, I’d give them all for Mephistopheles by him I’ll be great Emperor of the world … and both contributory to my crown”( Pg.14). He clearly demonstrates that he wasn’t influenced by his friends, but by his own selfish will for power. Another argument that shows clearly that Dr. Faustus was indeed not manipulated by anyone but on his own stance for the devil saying,“that Mephistophilis may appear and rise..and the sign of the cross which now I make, and by our on prayer, may Mephistophilis now summoned by us arise!”(Pg.11). Mephistophilis did not appear on his behalf to convert Dr. Faustus to dark magic and send him to hell. Indeed he made the decision that God wasn’t his way of life, but his own selfish crime for earthly pleasures. Lucifer did not force him to do anything against his will. It even seems that Mephistophilis is still in gods favor because he declares “O’ by aspiring pride and insolence; For which God threw him from the face of Heaven”(Pg.13). Meaning that Lucifer, his master, was still in a lower position than God himself. Subtle statements after that, provide that Mephistophilis gave several warnings to Dr. Faustus about the condemnations of hell. Mephistophilis words weren’t the only signs provided,for him to not sale his soul, for example the “Homo huge” letters that appeared on his arm. This could be interpreted as a message for