Dr Faustus is the main character of a play by Christopher Marlowe, titled The Tragical History of the Life

and Death of Doctor Faustus. He is a brilliant scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for 24
years of unlimited knowledge and power. Some of the personality traits of Dr Faustus are:

- Ambitious: Faustus is not satisfied with the conventional fields of study, such as logic, medicine, law,
and theology. He wants to explore the secrets of nature, the cosmos, and the supernatural realm. He
dreams of achieving fame, wealth, and glory through his magic.

In the first scene, Faustus declares his dissatisfaction with the traditional fields of study and his desire to
learn magic. He says, “These metaphysics of magicians / And necromantic books are heavenly; / Lines,
circles, scenes, letters, and characters; / Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires” (1.1.49-52)¹.

- Arrogant: Faustus is very proud of his intellect and achievements. He thinks he is superior to other
scholars and human beings. He does not respect the authority of God, the church, or the laws of nature.
He believes he can challenge and manipulate the forces of evil to his advantage.

In the third scene, Faustus signs the contract with Lucifer and boasts about his future achievements. He
says, “Had I as many souls as there be stars, / I’d give them all for Mephistophilis. / By him I’ll be great
emperor of the world” (2.3.100-102)¹.

- Curious: Faustus has a thirst for knowledge that drives him to pursue the dark arts. He is fascinated by
the mysteries of the universe and the wonders of magic. He wants to learn everything he can from
Mephastophilis, the devil's servant, who answers his questions and shows him various sights.

In the fifth scene, Faustus asks Mephastophilis various questions about the nature of hell, the planets,
and the creation of the world. He says, “Resolve me of all ambiguities” (2.5.1)¹.

- Reckless: Faustus does not consider the consequences of his actions or the dangers of his deal with the
devil. He signs away his soul without hesitation or remorse. He wastes his time and powers on trivial and
frivolous things, such as playing pranks on the pope and a knight. He ignores the warnings and advice of
his friends, the good angel, and even Mephastophilis himself.

In the seventh scene, Faustus visits the pope in Rome and plays pranks on him and his attendants. He
says, “What, are you crossing of yourself? / Well, use that trick no more I would advise you” (3.1.77-78)¹

- Tragic: Faustus is a tragic hero who falls from grace due to his fatal flaw: his overreaching ambition. He
realizes his mistake too late and suffers a terrible fate: eternal damnation in hell. He regrets his choice
and begs for mercy, but it is in vain. He is a victim of his own hubris and folly.

In the last scene, Faustus realizes his mistake and begs for mercy as the devils come to take his soul. He
says, “O mercy, heaven! Look not so fierce on me! / Adders and serpents, let me breathe a while! / Ugly
hell, gape not! Come not, Lucifer! / I’ll burn my books! O Mephistophilis!” (5.2.191-194)¹.

Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is a complex and fascinating character in the play Doctor Faustus by Christopher
Marlowe. He is the devil’s servant, who comes to tempt Faustus into selling his soul to Lucifer.
He is also a fallen angel, who once saw the face of God and enjoyed the bliss of heaven, but now
suffers the torment of hell. He is both a tempter and a tormentor, a friend and a foe, a helper and
a hinderer to Faustus.
Some of the personality traits of Mephistopheles are:
 Cunning: He is very clever and crafty in manipulating Faustus and deceiving him with
false promises and illusions. He uses Faustus’s pride, curiosity, and ambition to lure him
into the contract with Lucifer. He also exploits Faustus’s weaknesses, such as his fear of
death, his love for Helen, and his desire for power and knowledge.
 Mephistopheles deceives Faustus by showing him a false image of Helen of Troy and
making him fall in love with her. He says, “Was this the face that launched a
thousand ships / And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? / Sweet Helen, make me
immortal with a kiss” (5.92-94)¹.
 Sarcastic: He has a dark sense of humor and often mocks Faustus and other human
beings for their folly and ignorance. He enjoys making fun of Faustus’s questions and
requests, and sometimes reveals the truth in a sarcastic way. For example, when Faustus
asks him about hell, he says, “Why this is hell, nor am I out of it” (3.76)1.
 Sympathetic: He is not entirely evil or heartless, as he shows some signs of sympathy
and regret for Faustus and himself. He warns Faustus about the horrors of hell and the
consequences of his bargain before he signs it. He also expresses his own pain and
sorrow for being banished from heaven and deprived of God’s grace. He says, “Think’st
thou that I, who saw the face of God / And tasted the eternal joys of heaven / Am not
tormented with ten thousand hells / In being deprived of everlasting bliss?” (3.79-82)1.
 Loyal: He is faithful and obedient to his master Lucifer, whom he serves without
question or hesitation. He follows Lucifer’s orders and rules strictly, and does not dare to
disobey or betray him. He also respects Lucifer’s power and authority, and fears his
wrath and punishment. He says, “I cannot speak of that great enemy / For fear my words
offend him” (5.121-122)1.
Mephistopheles is faithful and obedient to his master Lucifer, whom he serves without question
or hesitation. He follows Lucifer’s orders and rules strictly, and does not dare to disobey or
betray him. He says, “I came hither of mine own accord. / Had not I waited for thee here so long,
/ I should have mounted up above the stars / To pull thee down from thence” (3.63-66)¹.

Lucifer
Lucifer is the ruler of hell and the main antagonist of Doctor Faustus, a play by Christopher
Marlowe. He is a complex and ambiguous character, who shows different aspects of his
personality throughout the play. Here are some of his traits:
 Powerful: Lucifer is the most powerful being in hell, and he commands a legion of
devils, including Mephastophilis. He can grant Faustus any wish he desires, as long as
Faustus agrees to surrender his soul to him after 24 years. Lucifer can also perform magic
and illusions, such as showing Faustus the seven deadly sins or transforming himself into
various forms.
 Lucifer grants Faustus his wish of having Mephastophilis as his servant, and he also
shows him the wonders of the world and the heavens. He says to Faustus: “I will confirm
his words with deed./Mephastophilis, thou know’st thy charge,/Bring him what he
desires, for I must have his soul.” (Scene 5, lines 95-97)
  Cunning: Lucifer is very clever and manipulative, and he knows how to exploit
Faustus’s weaknesses and desires. He uses Mephastophilis as his emissary, who lures
Faustus with promises of knowledge and pleasure. Lucifer also keeps his distance from
Faustus, making him seem more mysterious and attractive. He only appears when Faustus
tries to repent or doubts his pact, and he quickly distracts him with threats or
entertainment.
 Lucifer appears to Faustus when he is about to repent and call on God, and he threatens
him with dire consequences if he breaks his contract. He says to Faustus: “Thou traitor,
Faustus, I arrest thy soul/For disobedience to my sovereign lord./Revolt, or I’ll in
piecemeal tear thy flesh.” (Scene 5, lines 63-65)1 He also distracts him with a show of the
seven deadly sins, and praises his choice of necromancy over theology. He says to
Faustus: “Faustus, we are come from hell to show thee some pastime./Sit down, and thou
shalt see all the Seven Deadly Sins appear in their proper shapes.” (Scene 6, lines 1-3)
 Proud: Lucifer was once an angel, but he rebelled against God because of his pride and
insolence. He wanted to be equal or superior to God, and he refused to obey him. He was
cast out of heaven and became the prince of darkness. Lucifer still retains his pride, and
he hates anything that reminds him of God or heaven. He is offended when Faustus calls
out to God, and he forbids him from studying theology or reading the scriptures.
 Another reference to Lucifer's pride in Doctor Faustus is when he tells Faustus about his
ambition to overthrow God and become the supreme ruler of heaven. He says to
Faustus:> I aimed to be the highest, and aspired /To be the monarch and sole king of
heaven./But, wretched caitiff, I am now constrained/With ugly devils to live in hellish
fire. (Scene 6, lines 57-60)¹

 Lucifer reveals his pride and arrogance in his attempt to challenge God's authority and
position. He wanted to be the highest and the only king of heaven, which shows his
extreme vanity and egotism. He also calls himself a wretched caitiff, which means a
miserable villain, implying that he regrets his prideful actions that led to his downfall and
punishment. He is now forced to live with ugly devils in hellish fire, which is a contrast
to his former glory and beauty as an angel. This is a tragic consequence of his pride, and
a warning to Faustus not to follow his example.

 Cruel: Lucifer is evil and ruthless, and he has no compassion for Faustus or anyone else.
He only cares about collecting souls and increasing his power. He does not care about
Faustus’s suffering or remorse, and he mocks him for his foolishness. He enjoys torturing
Faustus with visions of hell and demons, and he ultimately drags him to his eternal
damnation.
Another reference to Lucifer’s cruelty in Doctor Faustus is when he appears to Faustus on his
final night, along with Mephastophilis and other devils, to claim his soul. He says to Faustus:
Thou art a spirit; God cannot pity thee. Therefore be gone, thou cursed man, and die To thine
own devils, that torment thee thus, And leave my sight, for they are come for thee. (Scene 14,
lines 107-110)1
Lucifer shows no remorse or sympathy for Faustus, who is terrified and desperate for salvation.
He mocks him for being a spirit, implying that he is beyond God’s mercy and grace. He also tells
him to die to his own devils, suggesting that Faustus is responsible for his own fate and
suffering. Lucifer then orders him to leave his sight, as if he is disgusted by him, and lets the
devils drag him to hell. This is a cruel and merciless way of treating Faustus, who had served
Lucifer for 24 years and given him his soul.
Good Angel
The Good Angel in Dr Faustus is a character who represents the voice of Faustus's conscience
and his desire to repent. He tries to persuade Faustus to abandon his sinful pursuit of dark magic
and turn back to God. He also warns Faustus of the consequences of his pact with Lucifer and
the eternal damnation that awaits him. The Good Angel is contrasted with the Evil Angel, who
encourages Faustus to continue his wicked ways and enjoy the pleasures of hell. The Good
Angel and the Evil Angel symbolize the inner conflict of Faustus, who is torn between good and
evil, between medieval and Renaissance values, and between faith and reason¹².

Some of the personality traits of the Good Angel are:

- Compassionate: The Good Angel shows compassion for Faustus and his soul. He does not
give up on him even when he seems to be lost. He reminds Faustus that God is merciful and
forgiving, and that it is never too late to repent³.
The Good Angel shows compassion for Faustus and his soul. He does not give up on him even
when he seems to be lost. He reminds Faustus that God is merciful and forgiving, and that it is
never too late to repent³. For example, in Scene 5, when Faustus is about to sign the contract with
Lucifer, the Good Angel says:

> Never too late, if Faustus will repent. (254)

- Rational: The Good Angel appeals to Faustus's reason and logic. He tries to make him see the
folly of his actions and the futility of his ambitions. He questions how the riches, fame, and
power that Faustus has gained will help him in the end⁴.
The Good Angel appeals to Faustus's reason and logic. He tries to make him see the folly of his
actions and the futility of his ambitions. He questions how the riches, fame, and power that
Faustus has gained will help him in the end⁴. For instance, in Scene 1, when Faustus is reading a
book of magic, the Good Angel says:

> O Faustus, lay that damned book aside,

And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul,
And heap God's heavy wrath upon thy head. (70-72)
- Virtuous: The Good Angel embodies the virtue of goodness and the moral values of
Christianity. He urges Faustus to follow the path of righteousness and salvation. He also
represents an aspect of Faustus's character that strives for perfection and peace⁵.
The Good Angel embodies the virtue of goodness and the moral values of Christianity. He urges
Faustus to follow the path of righteousness and salvation. He also represents an aspect of
Faustus's character that strives for perfection and peace. For example, in Scene 5, when Faustus
is tempted by the seven deadly sins, the Good Angel says:

> O, what will not I do to obtain his soul? (101)

Bad Angel

The Bad Angel in Dr Faustus is a character who represents the evil side of Faustus's conscience.
He tries to persuade Faustus to continue his pact with Lucifer and enjoy the benefits of dark
magic. He often contradicts the Good Angel, who urges Faustus to repent and seek God's mercy.
The Bad Angel appeals to Faustus's desire for greatness and promises him unlimited power and
knowledge⁴. He represents the darker side of Faustus's psyche, the part that is willing to do
whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

 The Bad Angel represents the evil side of Faustus’s conscience. He tries to persuade
Faustus to continue his pact with Lucifer and enjoy the benefits of dark magic. He often
contradicts the Good Angel, who urges Faustus to repent and seek God’s mercy.
o In Scene 1, when Faustus is contemplating whether to study magic or not, the Bad
Angel says: “Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art / Wherein all nature’s
treasure is contained. / Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky, / Lord and
commander of these elements.” (1.1.77-80)1. He appeals to Faustus’s desire for
greatness and promises him unlimited power and knowledge.
o In Scene 5, when Faustus is about to sign the contract with Lucifer, the Bad Angel
says: “Faustus, thou art safe: cast no more doubts. / Come, Mephistopheles, and
bring glad tidings from great Lucifer; / Is’t not midnight? Come,
Mephistopheles, / And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer.” (5.1.255-258)2. He
reassures Faustus that he is making the right choice and urges him to seal his fate
with Lucifer.
 The Bad Angel is also a symbol of the Renaissance spirit, which challenged the medieval
worldview and embraced humanism, art, and science. He encourages Faustus to explore
the secrets of nature and the universe, and to defy the limits imposed by religion and
morality. He tells Faustus that he can be more than a man, and that he can be like a god.
o In Scene 2, when Faustus is debating whether to repent or not, the Bad Angel
says: “No, Faustus; think of honour and of wealth.” (2.1.17)2. He reminds Faustus
of the worldly rewards that he can gain from his deal with Lucifer.
 o In Scene 12, when Faustus is again considering repentance after seeing the vision
of Helen of Troy, the Bad Angel says: “Be not so fondly mad; do not embrace /
The time for thine own harms; I see thou lov’st / The sweet complexion of a
siren’s face.” (12.1.20-22)2. He mocks Faustus for being foolish and warns him
that he will suffer if he tries to break his contract with Lucifer.
 The Bad Angel is not a complex or nuanced character, but rather a personification of
Faustus’s temptation and ambition. He does not have any empathy or compassion for
Faustus, and he does not care about the consequences of his actions. He only wants
Faustus to follow his advice and serve Lucifer. He is a deceptive and manipulative figure,
who often lies to Faustus or exaggerates the benefits of his choice. He also tries to scare
Faustus away from repentance by telling him that it is too late or that God will not
forgive him.
o In Scene 6, when Faustus is feeling remorseful after witnessing the Pope’s curse
on him, the Bad Angel says: “Too late.” (6.1.93)2. He implies that Faustus has
already crossed the point of no return and that there is no hope for his salvation.
o In Scene 13, when Faustus is begging for mercy in his final hour, the Bad Angel
says: “Christ cannot save thy soul; for he is just: / There’s none but I have interest
in the same.” (13.1.66-67)2. He lies to Faustus that Christ will not forgive him and
that he belongs to Lucifer.