Faust: Faust's Study (1)

Summary

Faust is in his study translating the Gospel of John into German. The black poodle that Faust brought home begins to act wild and Faust tries to stop its madness. Spirits outside of Faust's door begin to speak about how something is inside that needs help. Faust then uses a spell to defend himself. After this the black poodle transforms into a monster. Faust tries to use magic spells and a crusifix to drive the evil spirit away. Then the poodle turns into Mephisto, the devil. Mephisto and Faust chat for a moment before Mephisto must take his leave. Faust asks Mephisto who he really is, but Mephisto cleverly avoids the answer to the question. Mephisto is trapped by a pentagram and Faust will not remove it to let him go. Mephisto then tricks Faust into falling asleep by summoning spirts that sing him to sleep and Mephisto escapes.

Notes

As Faust enters his study, he gives the poodle a pillow to rest on, as he translates the book of John to German. He starts out in John chapter 1, verse 1. "In the begining was the Word-so goes the text. And right off I'm given pause (1004-1005). It seems in this passage that Faust may be doubting the supreme being of God and his word. This next passage is another example of Faust's doubt. I'm unable to see the word as having supreme value (1006-1007). The Greek term for "word" is logos. Faust argues that a mere word cannot have such great significance (Gray). Faust didn't want to use the term "word" in the passage. He tried thinking of several other terms to put in place of "word". He tries the term "power". He finaly decided on the phrase 'Im Anfang war die Tat!' Translated means 'In the begining was the deed' (Gray).

As Faust is working on translating the Gospel of John to German, the poodle transforms into a bigger dog, growing larger before Faust eyes. Spirts outside start banging on the door to try to get in. Faust then tries to defend himself by using The Spell of the Four Elements (1054). Then the poodle transforms into Mephisto. Mephisto is dressed as a traveling scholar. When Mephisto tries to leave Faust's study, he relizes that he can't because there is a pentagram at the door. Faust offers a suggestion that Mepisto can get out by going out the window. Mephisto states that the devils have to leave the way they came in (1196).

Study Questions

(1) Why was Mephisto avoiding answering Faust's questions of his real identity?

(2) Why did Faust not like the term "word" in the passage from the Gospel of John?

(3) What did the poodle turn into first?

(4) What did the poodle turn into second?

(5) What are the four elements in Faust's Spell of the Four Elements, and why are they important to the text? What is their occult significance?

(6) What is the significance behind Faust calling to Mephisto as "Lord of the Flies"?

(7) What is the purpose of the pentagram on Faust's doorway?

(8) Why is Mephisto able to enter Faust's study, even though he is a demon?

(9) How did Mephisto get Faust asleep?

(10) What does Mephisto use to aid him in his escape from the study after Faust had fallen asleep, and what does it do?

(11) Why does Mephisto need help in leaving if Faust were already asleep?

Works Cited

Gray, Ronald D. Goethe: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1967.

---

< Outside the City Gate | Faust Summary, Commentary, Notes | Faust's Study (2) >