This allows us to pick up on the idea that his desire for knowledge and power is beyond the scope of man; in other words, Dr Faustus feels that he has to make decisions about his future, having mastered a brilliant career. Philosophy, medicine, law and theology doesn’t satisfy hum any longer and this is where we begin to embark on Faustus’ attractions to the secrets of magic; having mastered all other aspects of knowledge, he want to master craft.
Faustus’ journey to creating magic reveals a lot about his character in just the first few pages. Faustus originally intends to increase his intellect and power to help others and impact on his chances of finding a mate to start a family, yet we begin to identify him ad being somewhat a demonic character, we could argue here that his original intentions backfire and lead him towards becoming a black magician; this becomes evident where it says on line 25, ‘He surfeits upon cursed necromancy’
‘And melting heavens conspired his overthrow’
This suggests that God himself is aligned against Faustus, it relates to the idea that Faustus wants to be some form of God, ‘An almighty God’ He strives to be omnipotent and views power highly.
Furthermore, Faustus assures us that he has mastered knowledge; an example of this is where it says
“ And live and die in Aristotle’s works.”
His certainty that he has mastered all arts makes him question whether this is all there is to logic.
‘Is to dispute well Logic’s chiefest end”
, he begins to glutton for education; we could point out that he studies particular subjects, such as, religion not to determine what’s right from wrong or because he has a passion for the subject, but for financial gain; this deals with the issue of pride, he has made a name for himself ; being a doctor, he has contracted a high status and in order to continue to be portrayed in such a way, he needs to continue learning more and build on his portrayal as a highly classed intellectual.
Despite this, we become aware that he is quite ignorant when it comes to the subject of religion; he is consistent on focusing on the negative aspects to the bible and has convinced himself that there is nothing more to religion than punishment; he chooses to dismiss what he doesn’t understand. Faustus doesn’t even begin to consider religion, yet continues to praise and make positive notes on magic/craft books,
“And necromantic books are heavenly”
Faustus is therefore implying that he can do better than anyone could possibly imagine, he rates himself more highly than anyone; wanting to be more powerful than kings and queens, we could come to the conclusion that he wants to control nature- to control the world.