Christopher Marlowe's, Dr. John Faustus regards knowledge as easily obtainable information that he can use, or discard, at his own will. This learned philosopher, medical doctor, lawyer, and faithless theologian carelessly rejects his past studies. Then, in his search for a new educational passion, Faustus turns away from Christian devotion and chooses black magic as his study of choice. Lacking true faith in God and the Holy Word, the misguided doctor jumps blindly into a contract with the Devil. He cannot be faulted for his thirst for learning-only his lack of sincere devotion to the God that he studied so tirelessly in the past. Faustus misinterprets and misuses the intelligence, the gift, granted to him by God. He refuses to accept the limitations of man; and this coupled with his viewing of theology, God's study, as merely another avenue for knowledge gain, he condemns himself to an eternity in Hell. Faustus' desire to know more is not the initial cause of his fall. Dr. John Faustus fails to dedicate a single ounce of true belief in the power and mercy of God. His faithless heart commits him to Hell before he even signs the Devil's contract.
             Early in the play, Faustus exhibits the characteristics of a man who does not understand the limitations of humanity. He is highly intelligent and very accomplished, but he finds no satisfaction in his professions:
             Could'st thou make men to live eternally
             Or being dead raise them to life again,
             Then this profession were to be esteemed. (1.22-24)
             If he cannot make man live forever, or raise him from the dead then medicine has no use. Faustus fails to recognize the gift given to him by God, and only knows that he cannot, in a sense, play the role of God. Despite his religious expertise he does not devote earnest belief in the verses that he has undoubtedly learned and obviously overanalyzed.
             After mastering divinity, and several other respectable p...