How Does Marlowe Use Syntax In Dr Faustus

In scene III of Dr. Faustus written by Christopher Marlowe, Marlowe uses powerful diction and shifting syntax to portray Faustus’ attitude toward his own self-image. This pattern of powerful diction and syntax changes suggests that Faustus’ attitude transitions from a powerful attitude, to an impotent attitude and back.
In Faustus’ first encounter with Mephistopheles, Marlowe uses powerful diction to suggest that Faustus feels as if he is in command of the situation, and that he is all-powerful. At first when Mephistopheles appears as a devil, Faustus commands him to “change thy shape; thou art too ugly to attend on me” (26-27). Marlowe uses the phrase “attend on me” to portray how Faustus thinks he is powerful, and that he deserves the devil to show respect and appear in front of him looking attractive rather than ugly. Usually, a person with high power, such as a CEO of a large company, expects his/her staff members to be professionally dressed when appearing in front of them. By replacing a question mark with a period, Faustus has more power by not making this request a question, but a command, portraying how Faustus believes he is more powerful than Mephistopheles. When Mephistopheles reappears as a Friar, Faustus tell him, “I charge

thee… to do whatever Faustus shall command” (40-41). The words “charge” and “command” suggests an attitude of power and importance, which Faustus believes he has over Mephistopheles. Faustus, when talking about himself, uses his own name. When speaking of something, and using its own name to reference it, it usually means that the person or object holds great importance. The fact that Faustus references himself by his own name rather than “I” portrays how he is so powerful and important, that he must also respect his own power.
When Faustus discovers that Mephistopheles came to him on his own accord, Marlowe transitions from using powerful diction to impotent diction and unique syntax to suggest a transition in attitudes. Faustus, in the middle of their conversation, starts to ask Mephistopheles short questions such as “Was not Lucifer an angel once” and “Where are you damn’d” (70,80). Knowledge is power, the fact that Faustus begins to ask questions suggests how he is not all powerful and all knowledgeable. Faustus is looking towards Mephistopheles for answers, which portrays the power shift in this conversation as Mephistopheles has all the answers and Faustus is clueless. Not only did Faustus ask a variety of questions, all his questions were a sentence long, portraying a sense of uneasiness.
After Mephistopheles answers Faustus’ questions and warns him about his actions, Faustus returns to his original prideful diction that suggests an attitude transition back to his original sense of importance and pride.

Ignoring Mephistopheles’ warning, Faustus tells him “to give [him] whatsoever I shall ask, to tell [him] whatsoever I demand” (100-101). Marlowe’s use of the words “give” and “demand” portray Faustus’ power over Mephistopheles. Faustus expects Mephistopheles to follow his commands dignifying his attitude when he first encountered Mephistopheles. Faustus goes on to describe himself as the “Emperor of the world,” which suggests the idea that Faustus believes he is the most important individual in the world, over

god.
Marlowe effectively uses diction and syntax to create a transition in the text, describing Faustus’ attitude towards his self-image informing the audience about Faustus’ personality and characteristics. The rapid switch in attitude shows Faustus’ weakness under all his powerful talking, and how Faustus makes himself feel more powerful than he actually is.