Failure of Mythology in Faustus

Abstract

The use of mythology in renaissance is of utmost importance. The reason for mythology found in the renaissance texts was because renaissance figures thought that it is important to know about these myths and classical philosophes since ancient Greece and Rome were equipped with democracy and civilization. Thus their ideas might be used and welcomed. Marlowe makes ample use of mythology in his tragedies. However, in Faustus we see the failure of mythology. In spite of his love for mythology in this tragedy mythology fails to help Marlowe a lot in bringing it as a candidate side by side with Christianity. Though the giant of Renaissance drama welcomes mythology and proposes necromancy to his hero Faustus at the end of the tragedy it is Christianity which has the upper hand and the hero turns into a pathetic figure who is no longer arrogant and proud and is torn into pieces tragically.