Damnation: The Downfall of Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus and his Intellectualism

Muhammad Saleh Habib

Abstract

The current study aims at investigating the downfall of Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus and his intellectualism. For the said purpose, a play by Christopher Marlowe named “Dr. Faustus” was selected. The study textually and qualitatively analyzes the text The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. Faustus’ character in Marlowe’s play is an embodiment of his atheistic views. Faustus’ free will leads to his damnation which then becomes a pinnacle reason for his downfall. Faustus’ thirst for intellectual power beyond the limitations of his reason becomes his damning hamartia. In this way, Faustus mocks his own intellectualism in front of the world.