Fickle Faustus

Dr. Faustus, while a highly educated individual, relies too heavily of the physical aspects of the world. For a man well versed in theory and the dynamics of the human knowledge and intelligence, he often shows his ignorance in the ways of the world. Faustus was a man of meager means when he came into the world and over the course of his lifetime gained more intelligence to feed his intellectual appetite as well as his ego. However, his most impressive trait may be his biggest character flaw. When Faustus believes he has reached his intellectual capability and hit the glass ceiling so to speak, he moves to an area outside of his expertise. By conjuring evil spirits, such as Mephastophilis and the seven deadly sins, he feeds his intellectual appetite even more. However, Faustus remains hung up on the physicality and appearances, beginning with demanding Mephastophilis to return in a more handsome form when in his presence. Appearances continue to be everything with Dr. Faustus as he presents himself to those more powerful than he. Instead of allowing himself to accomplish great things in terms of revolutionizing the world, he rolls over and "fetches" for the royalty. For a man of high intelligence with a mind for science, he cannot move past the persona he projects in society.
Faustus continues to feed his voracious physical appetite in the final chapter of his life. At the beginning of the play Faustus demands a wife from Mephastophilis, who complies with a homely dressed up demon. Still, this doesn't satisfy Faustus. As his life is coming to a close, Faustus gives into the ultimate physical desire and consummates his binding contract with a demon in the form of Helen of Troy. By doing so, Faustus damns himself and refuses any hope of redemption. By constantly giving himself into the physical aspects of his sinful nature, Faustus feeds his childish naive nature. For a man of science, he refutes the notion of faith and salvation,
and allows sin to personify and take over his soul. If Faustus had moved past his naive sense of the physical identity and persona, he may have received eternal reward instead of instant gratification.