Faust is a classic German play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He wrote the play over the course of many years, with the first part being published in 1808 and the second part being published in 1832. It tells the story of a man named Faust, who is disillusioned with his life and makes a deal with the devil, Mephistopheles, in order to gain knowledge and experience.
Review
This book from the illustrious Goethe is his life’s work. It is one of the pillars of modern literature due to its posterior consequence, after Johann’s decease. It is majorly famed due to its incredible plot and descriptiveness.
The play discusses a philosophical theme that involves values, psychology and interests. Faust, the protagonist, prioritizes his intellect so much that he spends his whole time reading and learning new things. However, he can’t answer the intrinsical thoughts about our creation and our meaning in this world. Another thing expressed in the introduction of the writing is that Faust is unhappy; he wanted to feel the pleasure of happiness.
Therefore, the protagonist makes an ordeal with the Devil in exchange for his soul, his most valued possession. Thus, it raises an internal inquiry in the reader, that we should make about our own lifelong pursues: “How far are you willing to go to gain pleasure and knowledge?”.
That single thought alongside the progression of the story led me to organize my life and become conscious of the pursuit of my meaning of happiness. That reason, along with the emotional rollercoaster of the book, makes me visualize this novel as a must, serving as a pillar of modern literature. Thus, I rate this written work with 5 out of 5 stars due to the personal inspection and the incredible story.
Summary
The play is divided into two parts.
In the first part of the drama, the main character, Heinrich Faust, is introduced as a successful but unhappy scholar who is disillusioned with the limitations of human knowledge. Despite his accomplishments, he feels that he has not truly lived or experienced anything meaningful.
One day, Faust becomes so frustrated that he calls out to the forces of evil and begs them to reveal themselves to him. Mephistopheles, a demon in the form of a man, appears and offers to fulfill any desire in exchange for his soul.
Initially, Heinrich is hesitant to make a deal with the devil, but he eventually agrees, hoping that Mephistopheles will help him achieve true knowledge and experience. The two make a pact, and Mephistopheles begins to show him a series of illusions and experiences designed to seduce him.
However, the scholar still remains unhappy and unfulfilled, and he begins to doubt whether Mephistopheles can truly deliver on his promise. Despite this, he is drawn in by the temptation of experiencing new things and decides to continue the journey with Mephistopheles.
The first part of the book ends with a cliffhanger, as Faust and Mephistopheles set off on their journey together, leaving the audience to wonder what will happen next.
In the second part of the play, Mephistopheles takes Faust on a journey through various stages of life, including youth, love, and politics. Along the way, he experiences great pleasure and success, but also suffers from guilt and regret for his actions.
One of the major themes of the second part of the drama is the struggle for power and control. Mephistopheles introduces Faust to a variety of characters who are vying for power and influence, including a young woman named Margaret, who becomes the object of Faust’s affection.
As Faust becomes more involved in the pursuit of power and influence, he begins to lose sight of his original goal of finding true meaning and fulfillment. He becomes more and more selfish and ruthless, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
Despite his success, Heinrich is plagued by feelings of guilt and regret, as he begins to realize the consequences of his actions. He is eventually faced with a choice between redemption and damnation, and must decide whether to continue down the path of evil or to turn back and seek redemption.
In the final scene of the play, God appears and offers Faust a chance at redemption, declaring that his soul will be saved if he repents for his sins and seeks forgiveness. The play ends with the possibility of Faust’s redemption, leaving the audience to consider the themes of good and evil, and the human struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in life.
Overall, the conclusion of the book serves as a resolution to the main conflict of the play and provides a sense of closure to the story. It is a powerful and thought-provoking ending that invites the audience to reflect on the lessons and themes of the play.
Characters
There are several significant characters in the play Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
Faust: The main character of the play, Faust is a successful but unhappy scholar who becomes disillusioned with the limitations of human knowledge. In his desperation, he makes a deal with Mephistopheles in order to gain knowledge and experience.
Mephistopheles: A demon in the form of a man, Mephistopheles is the embodiment of evil in the play. He offers to fulfill any desire in exchange for Faust’s soul, and takes him on a journey through various stages of life.
Margaret: A young woman who becomes the object of Faust’s affection, Margaret is a complex and multifaceted character. She is initially depicted as innocent and pure, but later becomes more worldly and cynical as a result of her experiences with Faust.
God: Although not a character in the traditional sense, God is a powerful presence in the play and serves as a counterpoint to Mephistopheles and the forces of evil.
The Chorus: The chorus consists of a group of characters who provide commentary and context throughout the play, serving as a kind of Greek chorus. The chorus represents the collective wisdom and moral compass of society, and provides a counterpoint to the individual actions of the main characters.
The Story's Development and Context
Goethe began working on the play in the late 18th century, and it is thought that he was inspired by the legend of the scholar Faust, who was said to have made a deal with the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. The character of Mephistopheles, the demon who serves as the antagonist in the play, is based on the figure of Mephistopheles from German folklore.
Goethe’s work on the play was influenced by a number of factors, including his own personal experiences, his philosophical and spiritual beliefs, and the cultural and intellectual climate of the time. The play is considered a masterpiece of German literature and has had a lasting impact on literature, art, and culture.
Goethe continued to revise and expand the play throughout his lifetime, and it is thought that the final version reflects his own personal and philosophical views on life, death, and the human condition. The play remains a popular and enduring work of literature to this day, and has been widely interpreted and adapted in various forms, including operas, films, and plays.
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