Doctor Faustus Characters
DF
Doctor Faustus
Protagonist
Also known as: Faustus
Brilliant and scholarly
Ambitious beyond limits
Prideful
Spiritually conflicted
Doctor Faustus is a brilliant scholar who grows dissatisfied with conventional learning and turns to magic in pursuit of godlike power and knowledge. He strikes a deal with the devil, selling his soul in exchange for 24 years of unlimited power. Despite repeated opportunities to repent, his pride and ambition prevent him from doing so. His wrong choices ultimately lead to his tragic damnation and death.
M
Mephistophilis
Antagonist
Also known as: Mephistopheles
Deceptive
Obedient to Lucifer
Manipulative
Cunning
Mephistophilis is a devil who serves Lucifer and becomes Faustus's servant following their pact. He fulfils Faustus's wishes while ultimately serving the purpose of claiming his soul. His compliance masks a deeper role in ensuring Faustus's damnation.
L
Lucifer
Antagonist
Also known as: Satan
Powerful
Controlling
Corrupt
Domineering
Lucifer is the leader of the devils who accepts Faustus's soul as part of the bargain. He works to ensure that Faustus never repents and remains bound to his deal. He represents the ultimate force of evil and damnation in the play.
W
Wagner
Supporting
Loyal
Imitative
Opportunistic
Comedic
Wagner is Faustus's loyal servant who attempts to emulate his master's magical abilities. He bullies a clown into serving him, mirroring Faustus's own relationship with power on a comic scale. He provides both comic relief and a reflection of Faustus's influence.
TG
The Good Angel
Symbolic
Virtuous
Guiding
Compassionate
Morally upright
The Good Angel is a spirit who appears on stage to urge Faustus to abandon magic and return to God. He symbolises Faustus's conscience and the pull of righteousness and repentance. Despite his repeated warnings, Faustus fails to heed his counsel.
TE
The Evil Angel
Symbolic
Tempting
Manipulative
Encouraging of sin
Greedy
The Evil Angel is a spirit who appears on stage to encourage Faustus to continue practising black magic and to pursue honour and wealth. He represents Faustus's pride, greed, and susceptibility to temptation. He serves as the symbolic counterpart to the Good Angel.
V
Valdes
Supporting
Knowledgeable in magic
Encouraging
Corrupting influence
Persuasive
Valdes is one of two magicians who introduce Faustus to the world of black magic. Together with Cornelius, he encourages Faustus to pursue the dark arts. He plays a key role in setting Faustus on his path to damnation.
C
Cornelius
Supporting
Knowledgeable in magic
Encouraging
Corrupting influence
Persuasive
Cornelius is one of two magicians who, alongside Valdes, introduce Faustus to black magic and encourage him to pursue it. He contributes to Faustus's initial corruption and turn away from conventional scholarship.
TO
The Old Man
Supporting
Wise
Devout
Compassionate
Morally steadfast
The Old Man is a wise and deeply religious figure who urges Faustus to repent and seek God's forgiveness. He represents faith, redemption, and moral integrity. Faustus ultimately ignores his counsel, sealing his tragic fate.
TC
The Chorus
Narrator
Explanatory
Moralistic
Objective
Authoritative
The Chorus serves as the narrator of the play, introducing and concluding the story of Doctor Faustus. He provides context and draws out the moral lessons of Faustus's rise and fall. His role bridges the audience and the dramatic action of the play.
R
Robin
Minor
Comedic
Foolish
Mischievous
Opportunistic
Robin is one of two comic characters who steal Faustus's magic book and attempt to use it for trivial and silly purposes. He provides comic relief and parodies Faustus's own misuse of magical power. His antics highlight the absurdity of pursuing magic for base ends.
R
Rafe
Minor
Comedic
Foolish
Mischievous
Opportunistic
Rafe is Robin's companion and fellow comic character who participates in stealing Faustus's magic book. Together they attempt to use magic for silly tricks, offering a humorous and lowbrow mirror to Faustus's grander ambitions.
TS
The Scholars
Supporting
Respectful
Intellectual
Loyal
Mournful
The Scholars are friends and academic peers of Faustus who admire his great intelligence. They are unable to save him from his fate and ultimately mourn his tragic end. They represent the human connection and respect that Faustus sacrifices through his pact.
TP
The Pope
Minor
Authoritative
Oblivious
Self-important
Easily mocked
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church who becomes the unwitting target of Faustus's mischief. Faustus turns invisible and teases and slaps him, using his magical powers for irreverent comic effect. He serves as a symbol of institutional religious authority that Faustus disrespects.
EC
Emperor Carolus V
Minor
Also known as: Charles V
Powerful
Curious
Dignified
Admiring
Emperor Carolus V is the Roman Emperor who invites Faustus to perform magical feats at his court. He represents worldly power and authority that is nonetheless impressed and entertained by Faustus's abilities. His scenes showcase Faustus's use of magic for spectacle and prestige.
K
Knight
Minor
Also known as: Benvolio
Rude
Arrogant
Mocking
Contemptuous
The Knight, also known as Benvolio, is a discourteous courtier at the Emperor's court who openly mocks Faustus. In retaliation, Faustus humiliates him by magically placing horns on his head. He serves to demonstrate Faustus's power and his willingness to use it vindictively.
DO
Duke of Vanholt
Minor
Noble
Hospitable
Admiring
Courteous
The Duke of Vanholt is a nobleman whom Faustus visits and impresses with his magical abilities. He is part of the noble couple for whom Faustus conjures grapes out of season. He represents the aristocratic audience that Faustus dazzles with his powers.
DO
Duchess of Vanholt
Minor
Noble
Gracious
Delighted
Courteous
The Duchess of Vanholt is the noblewoman who expresses a desire for grapes despite it being winter. Faustus magically fulfils her wish, impressing both her and her husband. She represents the trivial and indulgent uses to which Faustus ultimately puts his extraordinary powers.
HO
Helen of Troy
Symbolic
Ethereally beautiful
Alluring
Otherworldly
Symbolic of temptation
Helen of Troy is a spirit summoned by Faustus in the form of the legendary beauty. She symbolises Faustus's deep obsession with worldly beauty, pleasure, and the pursuit of the unattainable. Her appearance underscores his spiritual downfall and his preference for earthly delights over salvation.
H
Horse-Courser
Minor
Foolish
Gullible
Comedic
Greedy
The Horse-Courser is a foolish man who purchases a magical horse from Faustus, only to discover it vanishes when ridden into water. He provides comic relief and illustrates how Faustus uses his powers to deceive and trick ordinary people. His episode highlights the trivial and dishonest applications of Faustus's magic.