Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus: Search for Illegitimate and Unbridled Power (Book Review Sample)

Christopher Marlowe's “Dr. Faustus”
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Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus: Search for Illegitimate and Unbridled Power
Illegitimate power is usually unjustified and occurs when a leader or a powerful or significant figure believes in something totally different from his followers. Unbridled power entails unrestrained and uncontrolled opinions and views regarding governance. We have many people who are dedicated in this search for unbridled and illegitimate power. In the play Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, this pursuit is widely explored through the life of Dr. Faustus. Dr. Faustus is famous in the society for his accomplishments; however, he suddenly grows very sick of the limitations facing human knowledge thus forcing him to be interested in magic (Marlowe 4). He summons Mephistophilis, a demon, and he is offered twenty-four years. Soon Dr. Faustus begins a sinful life with great desire for praise, power, and trickery. He suddenly becomes concerned with how people view him in the society as a ‘hero.’ However, in the end he realizes his mistakes in trusting and believing that such power would bring him much happiness. Eventually Faustus’s soul is carried off by the devil to hell.
From Dr. Faustus’ story, we note that many people in the society decide to search for illegitimate or unjustified power in order to achieve fame, recognition, and superiority over others. At a point Faustus says “Yeah, I will combat with the weak Menelaus, then wear his colors, and as well wound Achilles (Marlowe 5).” This explains Dr. Faustus’ desires once he achieves power and extreme knowledge. However, at the very end nothing much or happiness is obtained by the doctor. In our modern society, this theme accurately applies in the way people pursue their earthly goals without considering the repercussions that come as a result. This can also be applied in political, social and religious foundations of our society. We have leaders who have illegitimately stolen power and as a result have continued to oppress others. This is something guided by human ‘will.’
When one gets unbridled power, for a short moment he becomes a hero and achieves great fame. But within a short time he realizes that everything was vanity. In political scenes, people acquire power illegitimately but eventually fail their nation because dictatorship persists. “In pursuit for power through illegitimate ways in the society, people eventually realize that they cannot achieve happiness or better life as it happens with Dr. Faustus (Greenblatt 354).” Basically, the above theme is very valid since it applies adequately in our modern society. Different people have been engaged in search for unbridled and illegitimate power but eventually it was not worthwhile after getting it.
Currently there are a number of issues which cannot be applied to our modern society. In the wake of democracy, people have become aware and informed and therefore do not give a person any chance of harnessing power t...