Final answer:
In Dr. Faustus, the main character seeks limitless knowledge and power by making a pact with Mephistopheles, which results in his tragic downfall. This illustrates the dangers of pursuing intellectual enlightenment without moral boundaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The desire for knowledge in Dr. Faustus is a central theme that explores the limits of human understanding and the consequences of an insatiable quest for power and wisdom. The protagonist, Faustus, is a brilliant but dissatisfied scholar who makes a pact with the devil's emissary, Mephistopheles. In his quest for knowledge, Faustus is granted magical powers and access to all worldly pleasures, but at the cost of his soul.
The pursuit of knowledge in the play raises questions about the moral and ethical implications of such a desire. Faustus's unfettered appetite for learning ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating the theme that the relentless pursuit of intellectual enlightenment without regard for moral boundaries has dire consequences.