In Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Faustus’ bargain with the devil is not sensible. His main reason for selling his soul is so that he can acquire ultimate knowledge from the devils. However, Faustus does not obtain all the knowledge he desires, and throughout the rest of his life he is forced to endure tremendous mental torture that he has brought unto himself.
Faustus’ hunger for knowledge creates a blind will that does not cease until he achieves what he needs. However, once Faustus has sold his soul and questions Mephostophilis about the universe, he does not receive the answer he is looking for. Faustus asks, “Now tell me, who made / the world?” (2/2/71-72), and Mephostophilis responds, “I will not” (2/2/73). Even though Mephostophilis does answer some of Faustus’ questions, he refuses to answer all of them. Faustus grows extremely angry, for he believes that the conditions he made before selling his soul would stand strong. Also, many of the responses to questions he asks he already knows the answer. Faustus grows impatient and asserts, “These slender questions Wagner can decide. / Hath Mephostophilis no greater skill? (2/2/48-49). Faustus is not satisfied with the answers that Mephostophilis has given him, nor the use of Mephostophilis himself. Faustus does not obtain any incredible knowledge that he could not have achieved without selling his soul, therefore selling his soul for ultimate knowledge has been in vain.
Shortly after Faustus sells his soul, he questions whether he has done the right thing or not. He goes back and forth consistently in his mind until the time of his death, debating whether his decision was smart, or whether he should repent and beg God for forgiveness. The Good and Bad Angels further his doubt and confusion as to whether he has made a grave mistake. The Bad Angel makes it easy for him to follow the path he is already on, but the Good Angel causes him rethink if he truly wants to spend the rest of eternity in hell....