Question

2.
Comment on Marlowe’s use of irony in Doctor Faustus

Answer 1

The prime irony of the play is the that of the soul of the leading character of Dr. Faustus himself, who is in hold of the devil who claims to be at his service 24*7. Faustus is in a diametrically opposite thought of being the master of the world, and takes pride in possessing magical powers. And in doing so, he is about to sign a pact with the devil, which would further lead him towards doom. Besides that, his interpretation of the biblical text's are ironical. It can be seen in the following line " The reward of sin is death.........Why then,we must sin, and consequently die".
He also misses the significance of repentance and the magnanimity of God, for he forgives. The entire play focuses on the divine knowledge that Faustus intends to attain, but in reality it is worthless and he has attained nothing but shallowness and hollowness.

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