Mythological Allusions in Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Teacher of English Literature, College of Education – Ibn Rushd, University of Baghdad, Iraq

2 Professor of English Literature, College of Education – Ibn Rushd, University of Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

A Classical allusion refers to myths in ancient Roman and Greek works of literature. Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593), utilized mythological allusions in The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (1588-1592) to create a connection between ideas.
          Dr. Faustus wanted the infinite. He sold his soul to the devil to gain it. He rejected theology and embraced magic and mythology that epitomized pseudo-divinity.
          Classical mythology invites moral and theological discussion. It intensifies the aesthetic purpose and the spiritual evaluation of Dr. Faustus’s ambition.