Few things are more tragic than the destruction of enormous talent and potential. Dr. Faustus was a man "saturated...with the golden gifts of knowledge", a master of many forms of earthly knowledge, who could have used his abilities and knowledge for any purpose (). Yet, like many men with almost inhuman gifts, Faustus' potential, even his self-defined goals, ends in an explosion of madness. Faustus' prideful lust for divine power leads to the ultimate ruin of not only his intellect, but also his life, making him a most pitiable tragic character (could I call him a tragic hero?). The first element of Faustus' desire and downfall is a thirst for power through knowledge, and the pride that accompanies it in thinking that he can master this omniscient omnipotence. Only a person defying God could pursue the sin of Babel with such determination; Faustus embraces magic, in which “a world of profit and delight, / Of power, of honor, of omnipotence, / Is promised to the studious artisan” (). Despite his chances of later repentance, Dr. Faustus' fate was determined when he decided that "a sound magician is a mighty god": he wishes to be greater than God, even to the point of selling his soul. His friends immediately recognize the tragedy of his case. “If he were a stranger and not my ally, I should still mourn him” (). This marks the beginning of the deterioration of his intellect. The words of his tutor Cornelius ring true: “The miracles that magic will perform / will make you swear to study nothing else” (). Faustus abandons all other studies, all noble knowledge, to acquire enough power to feed his pride. His dreams start out magnificent and proud, but his concept of what it means to be a god diminishes somewhat when he... middle of paper ......law throughout the story. His pride grew so high that he became his own god. Farewell ? he doesn't love you; the god you serve is your own appetite, where the love of Beelzebub is fixed: I will build him an altar and a church, and I will offer the warm blood of newborns. ()As Faustus's death approaches, he responds by partying and indulging even more while still in possession of his faculties, while he lies in desperate panic on his deathbed, his intellect is no longer subject to reason. His lust for power overcame him and left him in a state of complete hubris. “Puffed up with cunning, with pride, / His waxen wings rose above his reach, / And, melting, the heavens conspired for his overthrow” “For the vain pleasure of twenty-four years, Faustus lost eternal joy and bliss. What's more tragic.