Dr. Faustus and I Henry IV: Part 2
Second Essay--Gosh, I'm tired. But have to work, so let's go!
How do the plays Doctor Faustus and Henry IV, Part I reflect the ideas and values of Renaissance humanism? You might consider such things as Pico’s concept of "self-fashioning"; man’s place on the chain of being; human potential, ambition, and achievement; the importance of reason (as humans’ distinguishing attribute, opposed to the passions and animal appetites); and the emphasis on classical literature and philosophy. Support your answer with specific arguments and examples.
All right (crack knuckles).
Thesis: While Dr. Faustus and I Henry IV each have distinct dramatic structures, they, nonetheless, share common philosophical attributes--values and ideas from Renaissance humanism--that shape their works. In Dr. Faustus, we find an emphasis on the ideas of Pico's self-fashioning in Faustus trying to determine his own fate on the chain of being, the great heights of Fautus' ambition and potential, the importance of Faustus' reason (or lack of reason) in determining his fate, and allusions to classical literature and philosophy. In I Henry IV, we see the ideals, again, of self-fashioning displayed by Hal and King Henry IV, the importance of reason Hal uses to transform himself, and the ambitions of Hotspur and other Yorkists who try to claim the throne. The central characters in each play represent Renaissance humanist ideals.
In Dr. Faustus, Faustus represents what we call today, a "renaissance man." He was very well-educated and learned in many subjects, achieving the highest degree one could in that time, the doctorate in theology. In the beginning of the play, he quotes Aristotle and phrases in Greek and Latin, showing his extensive knowledge of classical antiquity. However, Faustus is disatisfied with the knowledge he has attained and has the audacity to try and attain the ultimate knowledge (knowledge of the universe--planets, stars and such; natural knowledge--plants, animals; and knowledge of death and how to raise the dead). His ambition and thirst for knowledge reflects renaissance humanist conceptions. Before the renaissance, in medieval times, emphasis was placed on the individual adhering to the social norms of the community, and Christianity assumed that an individual was essentially flawed with sin on earth, and salavation in the afterlife was one's best hope. Pico della Mirandola countered this ideology and positioned man as the most wonderous of creatures in the universe, whom by using reason can
arise to a divine state on par with angels. Faustus adheres to these ideas of self-fashioning. He exemplifies this by trying to fashion himself into a godhead by selling his soul to the devil. He uses his reason to do so because other avenues for gaining knowledge were not available.
Okay... too tired.. going home. I'll finish this at 6 am tomorrow morning.
How do the plays Doctor Faustus and Henry IV, Part I reflect the ideas and values of Renaissance humanism? You might consider such things as Pico’s concept of "self-fashioning"; man’s place on the chain of being; human potential, ambition, and achievement; the importance of reason (as humans’ distinguishing attribute, opposed to the passions and animal appetites); and the emphasis on classical literature and philosophy. Support your answer with specific arguments and examples.
All right (crack knuckles).
Thesis: While Dr. Faustus and I Henry IV each have distinct dramatic structures, they, nonetheless, share common philosophical attributes--values and ideas from Renaissance humanism--that shape their works. In Dr. Faustus, we find an emphasis on the ideas of Pico's self-fashioning in Faustus trying to determine his own fate on the chain of being, the great heights of Fautus' ambition and potential, the importance of Faustus' reason (or lack of reason) in determining his fate, and allusions to classical literature and philosophy. In I Henry IV, we see the ideals, again, of self-fashioning displayed by Hal and King Henry IV, the importance of reason Hal uses to transform himself, and the ambitions of Hotspur and other Yorkists who try to claim the throne. The central characters in each play represent Renaissance humanist ideals.
In Dr. Faustus, Faustus represents what we call today, a "renaissance man." He was very well-educated and learned in many subjects, achieving the highest degree one could in that time, the doctorate in theology. In the beginning of the play, he quotes Aristotle and phrases in Greek and Latin, showing his extensive knowledge of classical antiquity. However, Faustus is disatisfied with the knowledge he has attained and has the audacity to try and attain the ultimate knowledge (knowledge of the universe--planets, stars and such; natural knowledge--plants, animals; and knowledge of death and how to raise the dead). His ambition and thirst for knowledge reflects renaissance humanist conceptions. Before the renaissance, in medieval times, emphasis was placed on the individual adhering to the social norms of the community, and Christianity assumed that an individual was essentially flawed with sin on earth, and salavation in the afterlife was one's best hope. Pico della Mirandola countered this ideology and positioned man as the most wonderous of creatures in the universe, whom by using reason can
arise to a divine state on par with angels. Faustus adheres to these ideas of self-fashioning. He exemplifies this by trying to fashion himself into a godhead by selling his soul to the devil. He uses his reason to do so because other avenues for gaining knowledge were not available.
Okay... too tired.. going home. I'll finish this at 6 am tomorrow morning.
posted by Kristen @ 3:33 PM
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