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Title:
Dr. Faustus
Author: Christopher Marlowe
First Published in: 1832
Faust, the subject of the great dramas of Marlowe and
Goethe, was a wandering conjuror, who lived in Germany
about 1488 - 1541 and is mentioned in various documents
of the period. Goethe's Faust (Pt I, 1808, Pt II, 1832) begins with a
Prologue in Heaven, in which Mephistopheles obtains
permission to try to effect the mm of the soul of Faust.
The play itself opens with a soliloquy by Faust,
disillusioned with the world. Mephistopheles having
presented himself, Faust enters into a compact to become
his servant if Faust should exclaim, of any moment of
delight procured for him, Sray, thou art so fair.' Then
follow the attempts of Mephistopheles to satisfy Faust,
culminating in the incident of Gretchen (Margaret), whom
Faust, at the Devils instigation, seduces, bringing about
her miserable death. This is the end of Part I, Faust
being left remorseful and dissatisfied. The story of Part
II is extremely complex and its symbolism obscure. It
consists in the main of two portions,
of which the first is the incident Helen
(symbolizing perfect beauty). She ardently pursued by
Faust, but finally reft from him. Euphorion, their son,
personifying poet! and the union of the classical and the
romanti and at the end representing Lord Byron vanishes
in a flame. In the second portion (Ac IV and V) the
putified Faust, pursuing the service of man, reclaims
from the sea, with the help of Mephistopheles, a stretch
of submerged land. But Care attacks and blinds him. Final
satisfied in the consciousness of good work done, he
cries to the fleeting moment, Ah, sta thou art so fair',
and falls dead. Hell tries to seize his soul, but it is
borne away by angels.
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