Faustus appears to be driven by his thirst for knowledge. The chorus introduces him as 'glutted…with learning's golden gifts,' and led by his desire to further expand his knowledge he 'surfeits upon cursed necromancy.' This imagery connected with food and overindulgence is used to illustrate the scholastic gluttony that seems to control Faustus' actions, as though by learning he were feeding a hunger for knowledge.
In Act 1, scene 1, Faustus is looking for something to challenge himself with, and therefore looks at himself in the third person. Faustus believes himself to be extremely knowledgeable already so he rejects his studies. There may be evidence to suggest that Faustus is a weak character viewing dispassionatly, although I do not believe this. I think it shows that although Faustus wants to appear more intellectual than Christopher Marlowe leads the audience to believe, he can still be viewed as a strong character because he backs up each statement with a reason of why he rejected that particular study.
Faustus rejects philosophy because he considers that he is able to argue well enough already which is what he believes philosophy to be; “is to dispute well logic’s end?… thou hast attained the end”. Although this may not seem a valid reason to reject philosophy, at least he has a reason to do so.
He also rejects medicine claiming that he is already a doctor which Marlowe confirms in the chrous by saying “shortly he was graced with doctors name”. Faustus therefore feels it pointless to learn more about medicine “The end of physic is our body’s health. Why faustus, hast thou not attained that end?”
Faustus thirdly rejects Law believing it to be ‘boring’ and dismisses it as “external trash” by saying “who aims at nothing but external trash” To servile and illiteral for me”. The reader sees this as ironic because this is what Faustus is aiming for - he sells his soul for eternal life – is this not “external trash”?
Finally we read that Faustus dismisses theology (the study of God). He does so because he beieves God will only punish him for his sins. This refers to the Victorian’s viewpoint on a ‘punishing God’ rather than the modern day ‘forgiving God’ in which Christians believe. Faustus says “if we say we have no sin, we decieve ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. This shows the reader that he does have some knowledge of theology because this is a quote from John in the bible. However, he is very selective in his knowledge as the bible verse continues “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to clense us from all unrighteousness” which shows how the reader cannot fully trust this character as his statements have flaw.
Showing the thirst Faustus has for knowledge, his first request of Mephastophilis is for knowledge relating to the whereabouts of hell, and he later continues to question the demon on astrology and philosophical issues. He also receives a number of books from both Mephastophilis and Lucifer, which he vows to “keep as chary as my life,” and uses his twenty four years before damnation to continue his studies, seeking to “prove cosmography” and becoming renowned for his “learned skill” as “his fame spread forth in every land.” From this, it appears that Faustus could be seen as a Renaissance hero were it not for the misdirection of his knowledge towards evil.
As the reader continues the play, we can see that Faustus overlooks a critical danger; the threat of eternal damnation, because blinded by pride and the belief that he cannot be wrong, he rejects even the evidence in front of his own eyes. An example of this is that when confronted with the demon Mephastophilis' depiction of hell, Faustus responds with disbelief, replying, “Come, I think hell's a fable,” and diminishing religious issues by describing them as “trifles and mere old wives' tales.” Despite appearing to believe in “God, that made the world,” I think that he distances himself from Him and seems to think that he will somehow receive special treatment due to his mental superiority.
By responding to Mephastophilis in this sceptial mannor, it shows some weakness in Faustus’ character, although I disagree that he could be described as truly “weak”, and “with no redeeming qualities” as it is possible Christopher Marlowe could be using the good and bad angels in the as his conscience.
In conclusion, analysing what I have read so far (act 1, scene 6) it appears that Faustus’ intentions are that of good, showing he is a strong character. Near the end of scene 5, the good angel has the last word, “repent, and they shall never rase thy skin”. This shows the reader that Faustus is knowledgeable of morals backing up he is not a feeble character of weakness, but one of strength and knowledge.
