Describe the allegorical and symbolic significance of the Old Man in Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus
The Old Man, despite his physical vulnerability, is a resurrectionist Christ like figure who is a visionary form of divination externalized by the symbolic appearance of allegorical context. Orthodoxy and conventional social doctrines of Trinity and Catholicism beliefs and institutions are embodied by this allegorical manifestation. The decrepitude of the Old Man- ‘that base and crooked age’ reflects Faustus’ poor opinions of the chances of survival of society for which the Old Man advocates. Through Old Man’s annihilation Faustus wishes to justify abjuration of scriptures, social condemnation and sense of transgressions that has tainted his egocentric peace. When Faustus asks Mephistopheles to torment the Old Man who has tried to dissuade Faustus from his wicked ways, Mephistopheles replies:
“His Faith is great; I cannot touch his soul;
But what I may afflict his body with
I will attempt, which is but little worth.” (Act V Scene I Lines: 79-81)
Furthermore the Old Man hears Faustus’ lusty conversation even at the brink of despair; while Faustus speaks to the phantasm, emphasis folly and blindness of Faustus’ plea by saying with epigrammatic repartee:
“Accursed Faustus, miserable man,
That from thy soul exclud’st the grace of Heaven,
And fliest the throne of his tribunal seat!” ( Act V Scene II Lines: 112-114)
In conclusion, the Old Man is a representation of the Christian theology with themes and motifs associated with Biblical faith and holy scriptures, prayer, repentance and contrition as well as salvation and damnation. We might be intrigued to take the Old Man as the phenomenon of virtue and conscience in the soul of Doctor Faustus rather than the externalizations of his voice of conscience. In Faustus’ foul, wretched and heinous crime of committing suicide, the Old Man’s prudishness casted a heavy cheer fearing Faustus’ downfall preyed to the ruins of helpless soul.
“I see an angel hovers o’er thy head,
And, with a vile fill of precious grace, (Act V SceneI Lines-56-57)
These lines infer exemplification of bounties of graceful benediction which is in store of Faustus if he chooses the path of salvation and atonement.
References and Further Reading
1. Green, Clarence, Doctor Faustus Tragedy of Individualism, Communications, Jstor
2. David C Webb, Damnation In Doctor Faustus: Theological Strip Tease and The Histrionic Hero, Critical Survey, 1999, Vol. 11, No. 1, Culture, Custom and Belief (1999), pg: 31-47
