During their respective …show more content…
More than once Faustus portrays his books as his most prized possession. When Faustus ponders about getting himself a wife, Mephistopheles and Lucifer seduce him with a book of charms, and lead him to forget his sexual desires. Faustus’ last line, before being dragged down to hell by Lucifer, is a scream for his life, claiming “[he will] burn [his] book!” (13.57–113). Evidently, Faustus feels a deep connection for his books, considering those are his last words before spending eternity in hell. As for Prospero, he admits that the reason he lost his dukedom was because he valued books above his obligations (XXX-XXX). Another instance books are mentioned is when Caliban plots with Stephano and Trinculo to overthrow and kill Prospero. Caliban emphasizes that first they have to deprive him of his books by saying “ Remember First to possess his books, for without them He’s but a sot” (3.2.87-89). This serves as proof that Prospero, without his books, is nothing but a drunkard, despite already having all the education that makes him powerful. For Faustus and Prospero, it’s not knowledge itself what they seek but to posses the physical representation of it, which are books. This shows how privately insecure both character are, needing to reassure their dominance and knowledge through material