Abstract

The denial of religion is considered one of the major themes of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus (1604). Doctor Faustus, Marlowe’s protagonist, realizes that all of the knowledge he has acquired, including theology, is no more satisfying. Therefore, he decides to learn magic since he believes that magic will bring him absolute knowledge and power. Despite the warnings he receives from the Good Angel, Faustus’ excessive pride leads him to sell his soul to the devil and harden his heart toward God—a decision that leads him to hell. Pharaoh in the Qur’an denies and repudiates the invitation of Moses to submit to God and have mercy over his people. Pharaoh arrogantly claims that he needs no God since he himself is the great god of his people. This article is an interdisciplinary study between theology and literature to demonstrate how the archetypal villain in literature mirrors the one introduced in the holy texts. It also argues that Marlowe’s Faustus is, in many ways, a replica of Pharaoh mentioned in the Qur’an. They both share diabolical traits, including but not limited to pride, arrogance, and blasphemy.