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given an ear to [him], / Innumerable joys [would have] followed [him]" (276, lines 108-109). Also, the Old Man who comes to Faustus near his end urges him to repent, telling him to "call for mercy and avoid despair" (274, line 65). God's power is implied to be frightfully stronger than that which Lucifer gives, as when Faustus is in Rome with the devil Mephistophilis, who says even he fears the friars' chants from God (266, lines 95-96). Faustus continually contemplates his decision to sell his soul, whether it was right or if he has condemned himself, however, he ultimately chooses to keep his satanic pact. Marlowe emphasizes through his tragic hero that no matter how condemned and sinful one feels, there is always a chance for salvation if one is willing to see it. The Color Purple written by Alice Walker and the movie with same name, produced by Stephen Spielberg, is about the life of Celie, a young black woman in the rural southern United States around the turn of the century. Celie's story is one of unspeakable hardship in the form of neglect, physical and emotional abuse and but yet it is also a story of a women who had the courage to stand up for herself and assert her independence. Celie’s story is told through her letters to God. These letters serve as her only outlet from the troubles she faces in her life. Her life changes one day when she through the help of a friend discovers “lost” letters from her sister in Africa. The letters become an important part of her empowerment and gave her, the courage put her foot down and end suffering. Despite all the challenges and hurdles involved, Celie preserves. She becomes an important symbol for all us in that putting faith in human relationships can beat adversity. Her experiences are a testament to the human spirit. Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus tells a tale of a discontented scholar with an unappeasable craving for knowledge. Faustus personifies the renaissance aspiration for unsurpassable knowledge, yet he is fuelled by greed and the want for ultimate control. Faustus’ renaissance ideals conflict with previously held medieval beliefs of that era. Faustus in pursuit of his goal, “over-reaches,” disregarding Christianity, he sells his soul to the devil and ultimately meets a horrific death. Marlowe has crafted his play to embody deliberate contradictions, ambiguity and conflict to evoke thought, not just in Faustus, but also in his audience. This is especially prominent in the final scenes of the play, with the reappearance of the angels, Faustus’ final soliloquy and his eternal damnation. It is possible to argue that Faustus is a renaissance hero because he rebelled against the “normal”, being, medieval ideals. Faustus tried to prove that he could rise above societies limitations and failed, not because he tried to expand his own horizons, but because he did not repent. The final scenes of Dr Faustus are incredibly dramatic. The play’s main themes become even more apparent, the conflict between good and evil in the world, and especially in the human soul (Faustus). Pending finality is felt by the reader, as it is sensed that time is running out. This episode opens with the angels, “good” and “bad” visiting Faustus for what is to be the last time. Faustus has previously ignored the “good” angels’ advice and now he is shown what he could have had if he had listened and repented. The throne that is lowered down from the “heavens” represents this .The good angel leaves before Faustus is shown hell. The bad angel shows Faustus hell” (and now must taste hell’s pains perpetually.”) And what tortures await him. The language that the bad angel uses to describe hell is quite horrendous. The angels are symbolic for the internal moral battle that Faustus endures, or his divided will. This divided will is that Faustus wants knowledge and power, and on the other hand he thinks that is crazy to surrender heaven and what it entails, just for happiness.
Approximate Word count = 2602
Approximate Pages = 10.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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