Index IntroductionHeaven and hell in Doctor FaustusThe factors of Faustus's transformationConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn the play Doctor Faustus, the central theme revolves around the dichotomy of good and evil. On the one hand there is the representation of goodness embodied by God and Heaven, while on the other the forces of evil are embodied by Lucifer and Hell. This fundamental division is further illustrated through contrasting characters and elements, such as the old man and the good angel as opposed to Mephistopheles and the bad angel. Initially, Faustus grapples with this internal conflict, torn between the allure of good and the temptation of evil, especially as he contemplates the idea of ​​entering into a blood pact. However, as the narrative unfolds, the overbearing influence of evil progressively takes over, ultimately leading Faustus to final damnation. This essay will analyze the idea of ​​Heaven versus Hell in Doctor Faustus as well as the role of the seven deadly sins in the play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Heaven and Hell in Doctor Faustus The conflict between good and evil begins in Faustus' consciousness. The personifications of these opposing forces are the good and evil angels, representing the tension between Faustus's quest for knowledge and his desire for power. The stark contrast between good and evil is evident when the Good Angel urges Faustus to "think of heaven and heavenly things", while the Bad Angel lures him with thoughts of "honor and wealth". However, as the show progresses, the Good Angel and the Bad Angel cease to appear. Their absence symbolizes Faustus' irrevocable commitment to the path of evil, as evidenced by his blood pact. Faustus no longer reflects on returning to God, nor does he express remorse for the choices he has made. Instead, he wastes his newfound powers on frivolous pranks and entertainment of royalty, such as his pranks on the Pope and his summoning of Alexander the Great. The crucial moment in the conflict between good and evil occurs when Faustus undergoes a transformation from the pursuit of good. to an embrace of evil. When the seven deadly sins are presented before him, Faustus has firmly chosen the path of evil. Prior to this meeting, Faustus initially harbors good intentions, as seen in his promise to provide silk for the public schools, intending to dress the students in luxury. He remains committed to his quest for knowledge, despite his naivety about the eternal damnation that awaits him in hell. Faustus is even disgusted by the physical embodiment of evil, prompting him to ask Mephistopheles to alter his appearance into that of an old Franciscan friar, as he believes this sacred robe best suits a devil. Faust's aversion to the reality of hell leads him to misunderstand its true nature, sometimes even dismissing it as a mere myth, as evidenced by his terse response to Mephistopheles' horrific description of hell. However, following the blood pact with Mephistopheles, Faust enthusiastically embraces the seven deadly sins, even when confronting them directly. He looks forward to the experience, as he confesses to Lucifer, “That sight will be as pleasant to me as Paradise was to Adam on the first day of its creation.” In stark contrast to his previous revulsion at Mephistopheles' diabolical form, Faust now wholeheartedly accepts evil and enjoys it. This transition becomes apparent, freeing him from his initial claims of benevolent intentions, as he engages in a series of frivolous pranks and exploits. The factors ofFaustus's transformation Three crucial factors contribute to Faustus's transformation from a seeker of knowledge to a harbinger of evil, particularly after his encounter with the Seven Deadly Sins. First, Faustus's insatiable thirst for the forbidden, the lasthis knowledge is shattered when he realizes that the answers he sought are elementary and banal. When Mephistopheles provides him with answers about astronomy, Faustus dismissively states, "Tush, this wispy nonsense Wagner can decide. Hasn't Mephistopheles greater abilities? ... Tush, these are freshmen's guesses." The most significant blow comes when he is denied knowledge of the origin of the world. In this moment of desperation, Faustus pleads for salvation, but his request is rejected and he becomes acutely aware that his pact with the devil is irrevocable. This awareness of his impending damnation serves as the second great catalyst that pushes Faustus towards evil. During his desperate plea to Christ, Lucifer appears and extinguishes any hope of redemption by stating, "Christ cannot save your soul because he is righteous. There is no one but me who cares for the same." Following this crucial encounter, Faustus believes that, no matter how fervently he repents, he has already committed a grave sin and is condemned to eternal damnation. He becomes convinced that salvation is unattainable and seeks comfort in jokes and distractions to stifle thoughts of repentance. For example, after deceiving the horse trader, he reflects on his impending mortality and finds comfort only in "confounding these passions with a peaceful sleep." His practical jokes and frivolous exploits serve as distractions to quell his inclination towards repentance, as he believes he has chosen the path of evil. A key event that highlights Faustus' descent into evil is his fervent plea for Helen near the play's conclusion. Notably, he openly acknowledges that he has committed one of the deadly sins, a rarity in his behavior. Begging Mephistopheles to "let himself be desired by you, to satiate the desire of his heart", Fausto demonstrates his awareness of the path he is on, yet proceeds to commit the sinful act. Whether he can still be saved becomes irrelevant, as he willingly surrenders to evil. Faust begs Helen to "make him immortal with a kiss" and exclaims how "her lips suck his soul." The immortality he seeks is, in fact, the eternal torment of hell, and he may recognize the deep evil in his soul. Furthermore, immediately after the sinful act, his first thought is to ask Elena to return his "soul" to him. Thus, the realization of his irreversible damnation frees him from any obligation to do good and encourages him to repeatedly commit sin. The third influential factor that pushes Faustus towards evil is the preponderant presence of evil over good. Strangely, God remains absent throughout the play, while Lucifer and Mephistopheles constantly appear at critical moments when Faust is beset by doubt. Their presence is fundamental because it prevents Faustus, who initially regrets his decision, from giving up their diabolical contract. For example, as Faust contemplates repentance, Mephistopheles intervenes and threatens to tear him to pieces, with no response or divine intervention in sight. The closest influences resembling a counterforce to the overwhelming evil are the Good Angel and the Old Man, both powerless in influencing Faustus' conscience. When the Good Angel implores Fausto to repent, he immediately dispels any doubts and proceeds to sign the contract. The Old Man is ultimately condemned to suffer "the greatest torments that our hell offers". As a result, calls to embrace evil.