A Historicist Approach to Doctor FaustusA young man studies theology all his life and in turn receives his doctrine in this area. One lonely and desperate night, he decides to ignore God and pursue his deepest desires. Therefore, he conjures up a servant of Lucifer and agrees to sell his soul only if he can receive what or whoever he desires. This is the story of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. Doctor Faustus is a doctor of divinity who wants no limits to what he can know, see, or do, so he sells his soul to the devil to obtain these desires. In reading or observing Marlowe's fascinating play, the reader or observer must apply the "new historicist approach" and take into consideration the beliefs, habits of thought and prejudices of Marlowe and the society of the 1590s on various concepts of obtaining “forbidden knowledge”. Like the people of the 1590s, Doctor Faustus seeks "forbidden knowledge", begins to deny God in his quest for greater knowledge, and gains nothing from his vain activities throughout his life. Once these listed characteristics have been established, one can begin to visualize the relationship between Marlowe, Doctor Faustus and the beliefs and thoughts of people in the 1590s. Christopher Marlowe uses his enthusiastic character, Doctor Faustus, to show people 1590s a deep desire. to grasp “forbidden knowledge”. A doctor of theology, who apparently knows everything about his study of religion, begins to inquire about the improvement of his knowledge: “Negromantic books are heavenly; the lines, the circles, the letters, the characters - yes, these are the ones that Faustus desires most" (Act I: Scene I: Line 48-5...... middle of paper ...... qu Whether or not they should have published or talked about their discoveries comes to mind, just as Faustus regrets his actions people of the 1590s also regret the impression their discoveries left on others of their time. Christopher Marlowe's views on people of the 1590s through Doctor Faustus are clearly established when using the historicist approach people from societies of later centuries, such as Charles Darwin and Galileo, can be compared to Doctor Faustus. and considered a figure of Faustus because, in many respects, their characteristics are similar. We can very well observe that the men of the 1590s, just like Doctor Faustus, carried out several researches on "forbidden knowledge". which leads to the unimaginable. These same attempts to obtain the unattainable caused them to lose faith in God and obtain fewer benefits..