Dr. Faustus - Christopher Marlowe The Temptation And The Punishment From an early age we are told that knowledge is power and that it is our key to success and gainful experiences within this strange world. Many people also become obsessed with hobbies or goals within this modern time. It seems that there was no difference in Christopher Marlowe's time. This magnificent playwright was able to capture these two elements beautifully and the consequences that may arise from them if they are combined in the play Doctor Faustus. He also sprinkles a dash of superstition and adds a pinch of religion to complete his recipe for conveying the message of how destructive an obsession can become. It is amazing to see that people knew how dangerous obsession could be to a person. Granted, it was wrong for different reasons then than it is now but the Renaissance people knew that it was detrimental. In this modern era we know that obsessions are harmful because it interferes with a person's ability to function in society and live their life but the Renaissance people believed that obsessions interfered with the hierarchy of god and spirituality. Ultimately, this led to sin and condemnation of their souls. The afterlife was something that was very important and a serious matter which, was looked upon with a great reverence. We know that many of these compulsions and obsessions are driven by psychological reasons where the Renaissance community believed in angels, demons and spirits that did the work of god and the devil alike. This play shows that Doctor Faustus is interested in gaining all of the knowledge that is possible within this world and in the next or domain of the lord. He is relentless in his pursuit if knowledge and stops at nothing to gain everything that he wants. This situation shows how our original sin may effect us through our entire lives even though we are supposed to be wiped free of it when we are baptized in the eyes o...