A recent mention of werewolves in modern literature...

I just completed the first novel in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and it had an interesting concept on werewolves. The book focuses mainly on the world of vampires, of course on a fictional basis, but also recognizes the potential presence of werewolves. According to the book, a Native American tribe on the West Coast of the U.S. has legends of humans being descended from wolves in the beginning, and only one other being existed, that, in essence, were the werewolves enemies. These enemies were the "cold-bloods" and were, in reality, vampires. The werewolves, in this context, are positive creatures that brought about protection and goodness. I find this interesting based on the fact that most tales of old are leaning toward the idea that werewolves, or beings related, were strictly evil...

Satan as a heroic character...

It's an interesting point of view that Milton seems to take in viewing Satan as somewhat of a "hero". Paradise Lost is so elegant in its composition that it is almost overwhelming in its descriptions. I honestly struggled to read through the first part, more so than with Marlowe's writing, in fact. I was surprised by this, and even more so when I was told Milton was blind when it was created. I agree that Milton seems to take a 'Faustian' point of view when it comes to Who is revered between God and Satan. Pity is upon Satan's character as he falls from Heaven. Not only does it seem like he is pitied for his meekness (0f course he couldn't win against God) but he seems to be pitied, also, for his long fall from Heaven that God has inflicted upon him.
Furthermore, I am interested in the direction the class began to go in when the idea of multiple devils and their rank came up. What is the difference between Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Satan? How are they distinguished in different works? And does the Bible emphasize his existence throughout, really, or it is a cultural development? I feel that, as a person raised in Christian churches, that I should know more about these things, but they have always been taught without expectation of being questioned, so I never have really questioned until now... I'm in a definite struggle with the 'truths' versus 'non-truths' of this faith. We'll see how our literary works contribute to my research and study...

The Conclusion of Faustus

I feel that I truly pity Faustus in the very end. He seems remorseful that he made the contract with Lucifer. It is in his final hours that he seems to realize how little power he actually had. He could impress emperors and princes and dukes, but he couldn't reverse the fate he had created for himself when he contracted with the underworld.

In his final moments, he was asking for prayer and awaiting the horrors to come from Lucifer and Mephastophilis. These were the two whom he had put all of his faith in and here they came to drag him off to the depths of Hell. And up to the very end, God's presence in his life kept reaching out to save him. But because of the threats of Lucifer, he was too fearful to attempt turning back.

It makes me see the insecurity of Faustus more clearly, along with the "real" humanity in him: the willingness to bow down to the rule of another being, and the ability to be manipulated unknowingly by a greater being, as well... A lot to think about...

Presence of God in Dr. Faustus

There are so many ways to interpret Marlowe's writing of this piece. On one hand, God cannot be mentioned, does not blatantly reach out to Faustus, and is blasphemed on a regular basis by both the author and its characters... Or so it seems.

As we discussed Tuesday in class, God is omnipresent in this piece, from one standpoint. One can believe that God is the reason Mephastophilis cannot tell Faustus all of the answers to the questions he is asked. Furthermore, the bringing on of Faustus' doubt of his commitment to Lucifer can been seen as God's guidance and urging, as well. There are so many ways to "see" God, although because Faustus will not acknowledge Him, His presence is not obvious.

This makes me question Marlowe's true intent. Without knowing more about his true history, one cannot come to a fact-based conclusion. The biography of Marlowe, as we were told by Prof. Staub, is one of many unknowns. The majority believes that Marlowe was a raging atheist whose goal in life was to break the faith of those around him. Some would interpret the story of Dr. Faustus as this- mockery of religion and faith. Firstly, because he signs off to Lucifer and blasphems God, but secondly, because in Faustus' foolish commitment to a greater power (the Devil, in this case), he becomes trapped in a world of confusion and deceit. He committed to Lucifer in search of answers and power, but in his act of commitment, is stripped of true answers and of true power, as well. This makes the story and Faustus' intent quite ironic.

As I reflect, now, I don't focus on the presence of a "Good" or an "Evil". Instead, I focus on the concept of faith. Faith, as seen in this story, can be placed in anything: power, people, ideals, and greater beings. And in all cases, faith can let you down. I believe that this may have been a message that Marlowe wished to deliver. In one case, God has let Faustus down for his lack of presence and assistence. On the other hand, Lucifer (who truly can't be expected to be honorable) lets Faustus down because he strips him of personal power and of his ability to practice his curiousity.

Words we used to describe Faustus were 'proud', 'power-hungry', 'greedy/glutonous', 'pompous', etc. But in reality, he doubts everything he does. He questions Mephastophilis on things he has been taught his entire life (heaven, hell, matters of religion), and then refuses to accept the things he is told.

There are so many interesting elements of this piece that I am trying to wrap my head around. I look forward to more discussions in class!

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Werewolves and Lycanthropy

Imagine waking in the middle of the night, frightened and fighting to catch your breath, all due to one image. This was my experience time and time, again, at the young age of five. If you've ever seen the werewolf from Harry Potter (also Professor Lupin in his human form), you have seen the creature from my dream. Hunch-backed, wire-haired and toothy, this was no image fit for a five year old's slumber. I was forced to run from the creature, on its way into my backyard, in order to save myself. But in attempting to save myself, I did the opposite, drawing attention to myself. A friend of my father's would always try to save me, but as he grabbed me, I slipped from his hands and was thrown into the path of the wolf... This is where I would awaken.

For years, until I was thirteen years old, I dreamt of creatures such as this. They all were half wolf, half human, and always held the agenda of terrorizing me or the people around them.

Images such as these were popular in the minds of men and women of the Renaissance era, and brought much attention to the study of lycanthropy. Beliefs in such brought about a scare that anyone was capable of being taken into the custody of another wereman and made into one, himself. A common English belief was that the good who were exposed to evil were more likely to experience the horrors of lycanthropy.