Dr. Faustus As Doomed Fool?

"The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe is a controversial, as well as thought-provoking, piece of literature. Dr. Faustus, the widely debated protagonist, dares to pursue an education which exceeds the norms of others around him, granting him the label of a scholarly hero. Ultimately, while the character of Dr. Faustus can be considered tragic because of his eventual damnation, and doomed due to the devil's intervention and wrongful guidance in hopes of leading him astray, he is more a foolish hero as a result of his inability to set aside his pride long enough to repent.
Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Faustus cannot be considered a doomed fool. To begin with, "doomed" often implies a pre-determined fate caused

As well, Dr. Faustus is presented with the opportunity to repent time and time again. There is the good and bad angel, both of which who attempt to persuade Dr. Faustus one way or another. The good angel tirelessly tries to get Dr. Faustus to repent and to "think of heaven and heavenly things," as it was not too late to be saved, but the pleas fall on deaf ears (1122). The angels can, in a way, symbolize his inner conflict, displaying clearly that although a part of him reminds himself that he can be saved, he chooses to listen to the bad angel instead, following the devil to damnation. Moreover, taking into account the role Mephostophilis admits to playing in the eventual downfall of Dr. Faustus, it can be argued that Dr. Faustus had, in fact, known the Bible completely, but was made to forget his knowledge. Considering this, Dr. Faustus is not deserving of the title "fool," either. He was "graced with Doctor's name," and that too, in theology (1111). Without the intervention of Mephostophilis, Dr. Faustus would know of God's acceptance and repent, avoiding damnation. Although Dr. Faustus can display some arrogance and conceitedness, most

Faustus' decisions is tragic, he, himself, is not. Throughout the play, Dr. Faustus does not ever evoke feelings of pity or fear. Rather, readers are well aware as to which direction his foolishness is steering him in, spectating while he insists on rejecting the idea that he could avoid the depths of hell. He should know better than to succumb to theological despair since he claims to be a great scholar, speaking to himself in the third person. Regardless, Dr. Faustus is ambitious and allows his curiosity fuel his desire to pursue knowledge. He does not fit the textbook definition of a hero, but he is one nonetheless. He is dedicated in chasing further studies and expanding his mind's limits, going where no one else has, making him a hero for scholars everywhere. In the end, it is not his hunger for education that dooms him, but rather his pride. In his endeavor to gain not only a sense of personal satisfaction, but power through education, Dr. Faustus loses his sense of humility and further allows his pride to cloud his judgement and reasoning, leading him to strike a deal with the devil himself. He places his sins above God which makes him foolish. By way of example, he claims that even "the serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not [him]" (1156). He undermines God's capacity to forgive and implies that God is capable of refusing a repenting man the refuge of Heaven. Doing so, Dr. Faustus indirectly places himself in a