Doctor Faustus

by Christopher Marlowe

Doctor Faustus: Personification 1 key example

Definition of Personification

Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—The Seven Deadly Sins:

The personification of the Seven Deadly Sins in Scene 5 is a vivid moment in the play. After Lucifer convinces Faustus to never speak of Christ or think of God again, he summons the Seven Deadly Sins in a bid to amuse and distract Faustus from his desire to repent and seek redemption. Commanding Faustus to “talk not of paradise nor creation,” but instead to enjoy the pageant and speak only of the devil, Lucifer brings forth corporeal representations of each of the seven sins: Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and Lust. The spectacle of each sin’s parade is comedic, affirming qualities audiences would have been familiar with from their representation in other morality plays of the time, such as Richard Tarlton’s popular two-part play The Seven Deadly Sins (written circa 1585; although the text has since been lost, scholars have been able to ascertain the general plot, which brings each of the seven sins to life on stage).