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Schiller who insisted that Goethe
should return to his work on Faust,
a work he had begun in his 20s
and later put aside. The two
men corresponded daily until
Schiller’s death in 1805, a date
many critics take to be the end of
Weimar Classicism.A universe on stage
The story of Faust is based on many
popular legends about pacts with
the devil that circulated throughout
Europe from the early 16th century
onward, and which had inspired
Christopher Marlowe’s 1604 play,
Doctor Faustus, among others.
While earlier versions presented
the Faust legend as a relatively
simple contest between God and
the devil, or between good and evil,
G oethe’s Faust is a more profound
tale that moves beyond simple
morality. Goethe argues that
through living, doing, and striving
humans may make mistakes, but
that learning from these mistakes
will lead them to righteousness.
Goethe starts his play (after a
verse dedication) with a prologue.
Here a director, a poet, and a clown
discuss what characteristics are
needed to make a good play. Each
has his own agenda: the directorwould like to make a play that will
draw in the crowds and be well
received by its German audience;
the poet is an idealist, trying to
portray eternal values and make a
work of integrity and inspiration—a
masterpiece that will endure; and
the clown wants to entertain the
audience through comedy and
action. The three finally reach a
compromise—the poet can create a
play with profound meaning as long
as it includes action, comedy, and
tragedy. The discussion ends with
a promise to the audience—that
the whole universe, from heaven,
via the world, to hell—will be
presented on the stage.FAUST
A man who sells his soul for worldly
gain is an idea that has long captivated
writers. Part One of Goethe’s play
inspired Charles Gonoud’s opera. Here,
Bryn Terfel (right) plays Mephistopheles.Faust: Part One begins in heaven
where Mephistopheles (the devil)
muses on mankind and wagers
with God that he can turn one of
God’s favorite subjects, Faust, to
sinful ways and win his soul. God
accepts the bet but asserts his
belief that Faust will stay faithful,
pointing out that while a man may
make mistakes in his life, he is
basically good.A deadly deal
Moving the action to Earth with
its contemporary German setting,
Goethe introduces Faust, a learned
professor, doctor, and theologian.
Faust is sitting in his study in
despair, feeling that he has reached
the limit of his learning and that
he is merely “a wretched fool, no
wiser than I was before”; he even
contemplates suicide. The devil
appears and an agreement is made
between the two: Mephistopheles
agrees to fulfill Faust’s wishes on
Earth; in return Faust will serve
the devil in hell. As part of the deal,
Faust declares that if the devil can
provide him with a moment that
is so absolutely rewarding that he
wants to remain in it forever, then
he will die at that precise moment.
The pact is signed in blood.
Faust meets and is attracted to
a young woman named Gretchen.
With the devil’s help, he seduces
her, but what Faust hoped would
bring happiness quickly turns to
death and tragedy, and in this first
part, Faust is denied fulfillment.
Faust: Part Two is the more
complex part of the tragedy. It
consists of five acts, each different
from the others, which leap aroundWhoever strives,
in his endeavour,
We can rescue
from the devil.
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