Doctor Faustus

Drama | Christopher Marlowe
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What do Good Angel and Evil Angel allegorize in the life of Doctor Faustus?

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What do Good Angel and Evil Angel allegorize in the life of Doctor Faustus?

Or, What is the dramatic significance of Good Angel and Evil Angel in Marlowe's “Doctor Faustus”?

In Marlowe’s (1564-1593) “Doctor Faustus,” the Good Angel and Evil Angel are symbols of Faustus’s inner conflict between right and wrong. The Good Angel stands for Faustus’s fading goodness. The Evil Angel stands for his pride, greed, and temptation. The two angels also make the play more dramatic and emotional.   

Inner Conflict: The Good Angel and Evil Angel show the two sides of Faustus's mind. The Good Angel tells Faustus to stop practising magic and return to God. The Evil Angel tells him to continue with black magic and enjoy honour and wealth.  They say:

“GOOD ANGEL: Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things.

EVIL ANGEL: No, Faustus; think of honour and of wealth.”

This shows Fastus’s inner con
flict. He wants to do good, but he also wants fame and pleasure.

Creating Tension: The frequent appearance of the angels creates tension among the audience. The Good Angel tells Faustus that God will still forgive him if he repents. The Bad Angel tells him that it is too late to turn back. They say: 

“EVIL ANGEL: Too late.

GOOD ANGEL: Never too late, if Faustus can repent.” 

This keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. They wonder what Faustus will choose.

Moral Lesson: The angels warn the audience about moral choices. The Good Angel is like a conscience. It urges people to avoid sin. The Evil Angel shows how pride and greed can trap us.

Free Will: The angels also prove that Faustus has free will. He has the option to choose right or wrong. But, sadly, he listens to the Evil Angel and moves closer to hell.

In fine, the Good Angel and Evil Angel are a key part of this play. They show Faustus’s inner conflict to choose between right and wrong. They create tension and also warn the audience about the sinful path.

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Christopher Marlowe
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