Smith - The Nature of Evil in Doctor Faustus
Smith - The Nature of Evil in Doctor Faustus
Smith - The Nature of Evil in Doctor Faustus
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Though Faustus faithfully follows the advice of Valdes by being 'resolute', the
grandiose promise is never fulfilled. Not only so, but throughout the middle
portion of the play the hero falls far short of being the exalted monarch he had
hoped to be. Despite his vain dream of ruling over kings, he treats both Charles V
and the Duke of Vanholt with almost subservient respect. His speech to the
Emperor is all but obsequious:
My gratious soueraigne, though I must confesse my selfe farre inferior to the report men
haue published, and nothing anserable to the honor of your Imperial maiesty, yet for
that loue and duety bindes me therevnto, I am content to do whatsoeuer your maiesty shall
command me. (1019-24)
His parting remark is equally modest: 'Now my good Lord hauing done my duety,
I humbly take my leaue', which he almost repeats later to the Duke of Vanholt:
'I humbly thanke your Grace.' Very different is this humble man from the one
who initially had hoped to command 'All things that mooue betweene the quiet
poles'.
But such unaspiring speeches may possibly signify that Faustus himself has
been made aware of the smallness of the privileges permitted by the infernal bond.
It is at least interesting to observe that there are periodic signs in the text of the