Marlowe's Faustus was written under the influence of the time of the Renaissance where classical idea's where re-introduced, explored and often defied. Among the most important of the continuities with the Classical period was the concept of the Great Chain of Being which was first introduced by the Platos' and Aristotle's philosophical ideas about placing a heirachy and order to the matters of life and the universe! An object's 'place' depended on the relative proportion of 'spirit' and 'matter' it contained--the less 'spirit' and the more 'matter,' the lower down it stood taking the example of the stone, with the least amount of 'spirit'.
Renaissance writers were fascinated by the thought of going beyond boundaries set by the chain of being. One being Marlowe and his play Doctor Faustus. Simultaneously displaying the spirit of human aspiration and the desire for power, Faustus seems in the play to be both exalted and punished. Marlowe's drama, is recognised to show the Renaissance ambiguity in this area, suggesting both its fear of and its fascination with pushing beyond human limitations as Faustus tries to break free from his Human limitations in the 'ladder' and over-reach his position in order to gain a higher position in the heirachy as a 'deity' himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment