Essay on quot;Dr. Faustusquot; An Analysis of...

Mephastophilis is the devil that Faustus summons through his initial magical experiments. He is the same devil that was cast from paradise with his master Lucifer. In `Dr Faustus, Marlowe creates Mephastophilis personality from his own imagination, which causes Mephastophilis to be almost human at times. Mephastophilis is bound to Faustus because Faustus sold his soul to Lucifer for twenty-four years of Mephastophilis service. During this time Mephastophilis sometimes openly despises Faustus folly in disbelieving him, yet at other times Mephastophilis is like a companion or servant to Faustus as the scholars used to be. These two aspects to Faustus character can be shown through his appearance, actions and his language in†¦show more content†¦Mephastophilis leaves at the end of Scene three to go ask his master if he may do what Faustus ask. This shows that he practises his loyalty to Lucifer and that his loyalty is strong. However Mephastophilis to the audience at times seems disloyal to Lucifer since he says when Faustus asks him of Lucifers damnation: O by aspiring pride and insolence, For which God threw him from the face of heaven. (Scene3, lines 68-69) Mephastophilis in this short quote has told Faustus that Lucifer is not as powerful as God and could be hinting to Faustus that there is no point in doing what he is. At another point in scene 3 there is an odd ambivalence in Mephastophilis, since he is loyal to Mephastophilis and seeks to damn Faustus, but he himself is damned and speaks freely of the horrors of hell to Faustus: Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Thinkst thou that I, who saw the face of God, And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, Am not tormented with ten thousand hells In being deprived of everlasting bliss! (Scene3, lines 76-80) Mephastophilis here is literally telling Faustus that hell is a terrible place and does not compare to