Tsk, tsk. Faustus.
by kthai
How does an intelligent person come to the conclusion that making a deal with the devil is a good idea? It’d be great to have magical powers, I agree, but I would I take up a blood oath with the greatest evil in the world? No. What happened to his sensibilities? Is he so blinded by greed and desire for power? Actually, I’m now seriously doubting his intelligence. He dismisses all that he’s studied and believes magic is the best thing ever because it can bring him power and wealth. How does years of being an academic lead him to desire a dangerous way to cheat life?
So many notes in this book. I’m quite glad that they’re footnoted, so I don’t have to keep my pinky stuck in the back of the book.
I wonder, why does Faustus ignore the rest of the quote from the Geneva bible? His rationale is that everyone sins, if someone says they do not then they are lying, and so everyone will die and be damned. He doesn’t seem to believe that his soul can be saved, but as said in the notes, the rest of the quote is “If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (page 79) So he does have a chance there, even if all humans commit sin.
With work today I couldn’t commute to lecture, will be waiting to watch it.
Good point about doubting his intelligence. Apparently he has a lot of education and is able to do a good deal of things like engage in logical arguments well, do medicine, understand and teach theology…but still he thinks this is a good idea for a measly 24 years? Hmmmm. And not believing in hell even after he has conjured a devil seems also not very intelligent!