Books referenced - Dr. Faustus the play by Christopher Marlow
Discuss the use of spirits and visions in the play. What does the spirit of Helen of Troy represent? What does Faustus’ last request to sleep with Helen’s spirit reveal about his character? How could Helen be seen as a symbol of worldly ambitions?
It is noted during the Renaissance, people believe that spirits and demons were as real as anything else around us. People were often noted or blamed for making packs with the devil for the unexplained. Marlow takes the notion of Faustus, a famous German scholar who wants more to life than what science, law, religion, and medicine have to offer, so he ends up making a pack with the devil so he can learn the black arts and use them for 24 years in exchange for his soul. At the beginning of the play we note that Faustus is a very arrogant and greedy man. What is curious about the play is though Faustus is granted magical powers and spells; nothing of major significance is accomplished. In fact, he uses magic as a child’s toy rather than for what it could be used for. He uses magic for cheep tricks, such as making himself invisible to the pope and pulling his ear, makes grapes, and rides a dragon to explore the universe. Faustus uses his powers also to create illusions to impress people. The actual struggle of conflict in the play is within the internal drama that Faustus struggles with inside his mind. He doubts a number of times that he has made a mistake, but in the end gives in and does not turn back. We can compare this struggle in a tangible form when the good angel and the evil angel appear on Faustus’ shoulder. Marlow did this for two reasons: one, to show a tangible scene so the audience could hear the struggle that Faustus’ faced; and two, because they also believed this could possibly happen to someone. Later on in the play, the spirit of Helen of Troy is brought up; it is hard to tell whither or not she is an illusion or an actual spirit. It is when Faustus’ asks as a last request to sleep with Helen’s spirit, we are revealed yet again to how low and selfish he is. In this way, Helen of Troy represents all the material goods in the world. In the end, her body and beauty will be gone. Marlowe’s character is the classic tragic character.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
