The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus

"The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus" is a play by Christopher Marlowe that tells the story of Dr. Faustus, a highly ambitious scholar dissatisfied with traditional knowledge. He makes a pact with the devil, trading his soul for 24 years of magical powers and worldly pleasures. Initially reveling in his newfound abilities, Faustus ultimately faces despair as the realization of his eternal damnation sinks in. The play explores themes of ambition, the quest for knowledge, and the consequences of overreaching, reflecting the Renaissance tension between human potential and the limits imposed by morality and fate.