Renaissance in Doctor Faustus

Renaissance means rebirth in art, science and literature. Europe was recovering from the Dark ages, lost faith in the church and began to put more focus on human beings. The Renaissance was a period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Generally described as taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art.

The Renaissance was reflected in the literary works of the writers of that era. Marlowe also showed his love for the Renaissance spirit. His Doctor Faustus reflects all the important characteristics of the Renaissance. Doctor Faustus, the hero of the play, is a great figure of the Renaissance. Characteristics of the Renaissance are observed in Doctor Faustus.

Passion for Knowledge and Power: Passion for knowledge and power was a very important feature of the Renaissance. Dr. Faustus reflects this spirit. The hero of this play, Faustus, was shown as a symbol of acquiring knowledge. He received university education and got a doctorate in Theology. He mastered all the sciences of the time. But this could not quench his thirst for knowledge and power. Thus one by one he dismissed all subjects and decided to study magic. He believed that 'a sound magician is a mighty God'. For the sake of acquiring knowledge he even sold his soul to the Devil. Thus, the character of Faustus reflects one of the important features of the Renaissance.

Spirit of revolt: Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus represents the spirit of Renaissance who shows great desire for unlimited knowledge, power and glory. His craving for earthly power also shows a spirit of revolt against conventional religious doctrine. He renounced the rules of conventional religion and went against God to devote himself only to his own knowledge and power. He called religion the worst of the subjects in which he acquired knowledge. Here the rebellious spirit against his religion can be clearly observed.

Interest in the Exploration of New World: Dr Faustus worked with interest in exploring the various objects and information of the New World. Faustus sells his soul to Lucifer and tries to reveal all the information about the world and the universe. He wants to have them fly to India for gold and to ransack the ocean for orient pearls. Like all Renaissance men Dr. Faustus shows his interest in the quest for new regions beyond the seas. 

Sensual pleasure and love of beauty: Sensual pleasure and romantic love are observed in the play Doctor Faustus. After Faustus breaks the terms of Lucifer, Mephistopheles decides to punish him. Then Faustus requests to mephistophilis to get the company of heavenly beautiful lady Helen, so that he can satisfy himself. Here we can see the sensual pleasure of Faustus and the heavenly beauty of Helen which is one of the most important features of the Renaissance.

Thus, Dr. Faustus is an excellent play of renaissance. Christopher Marlowe as a Renaissance writer tries to bring out Renaissance features in his plays. So, It clearly reflects a lot of important features of the Renaissance