Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. Faustus gives to thee his soul. Ah, there it stay’d. Why should’st thou not? Is not thy soul thine own? (scene 5, lines 71-72) Faustus says this while he is signing the document that seals his fate. What do you think that Marlowe is trying to say about fate and free will in these lines and throughout the play? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Answer 1

Answer:

The story of Dr, Faustus s primarily the debate of a person's fate and free will. This theme recurs throughout the whole play, bringing into the fore the main issue of a Christian's life of destination and free will.

Explanation:

Christopher Marlowe's tragedy "The Tragical History of The Life and Death of Dr. Faustus" is a Victorian tragedy that depicts the dilemma of a person between destination and his right of free will. The character of Faustus is an 'everyman' symbol, in conflict with his choices and his fate.

The theme of fate/ destiny and free will is most explicitly expressed in this scene of Act V where Faustus is about to sign the deed of selling his soul to the devil in exchange for services in return. He tried to sign but the blood in his hand congeals before he could sign. Then again, there comes a sign written "O man, fly", maybe a sign from God to rethink his decision. Not just once but more than that did he get such signs of warning or second chance from God to rethink his plan and not go with it. But, though one has his destiny to do what is already decided, it is also up to him to live his life on his own free will. God may interfere and give warnings but in the end, it is the free will of man to do what he chooses. This freedom given by God is also the one thing that God gave man to make him similar as his own. Faustus also used this free will to act on his own bidding, ignoring his fate to be how it is already planned. His decision was also influenced by Satan, gaining the upper hand.

In his characterization of Faustus, Marlowe shows that every one of us have our fates predestined but the free will to chose what we do with our lives also dictate how we end our lives. The destiny predestined does not condemn us, but it could also have saved us from things more sinister and unfortunate. Our free will is what will eventually incriminate us, if the decisions are fatal. Thus, Marlowe is implying that every man has his own freedom to do what he thinks is good for his own life, even if that decision will be a mistake. And it is upon the man himself if he goes against the predestined will of God.

Answer 2

When he seals the bargain that promises his soul to hell, Faustus and his body seems to rebel against the choices that he has made—his blood congeals, for example, preventing him from signing the compact, and a written warning telling him to fly away appears on his arm.

These scene is very deep to imagine. But the author Marlowe pretends to explain about the human fate for example if after this life exists any pain?