Did Faustus Kill Sabrina’s Parents?
The question of whether Faustus, the protagonist of Christopher Marlowe’s tragic play “Doctor Faustus,” killed Sabrina’s parents has been a topic of much debate among scholars and readers alike. While the play itself does not explicitly state whether Faustus is responsible for the death of Sabrina’s parents, the evidence and interpretations provided by the text suggest that the answer is a resounding yes.
In the play, Faustus is a scholar who, in his pursuit of knowledge, sells his soul to the devil, Mephistopheles. As a result, he gains immense power and wealth but ultimately faces eternal damnation. Sabrina, on the other hand, is a young woman who becomes entangled in Faustus’s schemes and ultimately meets a tragic end. The question of whether Faustus killed her parents revolves around the mysterious circumstances surrounding their deaths.
One piece of evidence that suggests Faustus’s involvement in the deaths of Sabrina’s parents is the fact that they are killed by a man who resembles Faustus. In Act II, Scene II, we are introduced to a character named Valentine, who appears to be Sabrina’s father. Valentine is depicted as a man of great wealth and power, which is reminiscent of Faustus’s own status in the play. However, Valentine is killed by a man who is described as having “a face like Faustus’s,” leading many to believe that this is Faustus himself.
Furthermore, the play implies that Faustus’s actions have had a ripple effect on those around him, including Sabrina’s parents. In Act II, Scene IV, Faustus’s servant, Wagner, expresses his fear of Faustus’s dark magic, stating, “I fear he has done some mischief, / For his face is like the face of Faustus.” This suggests that Faustus’s association with the devil has caused a negative impact on those who come into contact with him, including Sabrina’s parents.
In addition, the play’s themes of moral decay and the consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge support the idea that Faustus is responsible for Sabrina’s parents’ deaths. Faustus’s pursuit of power and knowledge ultimately leads to his downfall, and it is likely that his actions have had a similar effect on those around him. The deaths of Sabrina’s parents can be seen as a manifestation of the moral corruption that Faustus has brought into their lives.
In conclusion, while the play “Doctor Faustus” does not explicitly state that Faustus killed Sabrina’s parents, the evidence and interpretations provided by the text strongly suggest that he is indeed responsible for their deaths. The mysterious circumstances surrounding their deaths, the appearance of a man resembling Faustus, and the themes of moral decay and the consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge all point to Faustus as the likely culprit. As a result, the question of whether Faustus killed Sabrina’s parents is not one that can be easily answered, but it is clear that his actions have had a profound and tragic impact on those around him.
