Faust: Night, Open Country

Summary

Faust and Mephistopheles ride towards the prison where Gretchen is being held on black horses. They pass a gallows on which a group of witches is congregating. The witches are also brewing something but Mephisto tells Faust that he doesn't know what they are brewing. Faust wonders what is going on, but Mephisto urges him to keep going.

Notes

As Faust and Mepisto were racing across the country side, on horseback. The black horses that they were riding could be a symbolism for evil, because Mephisto summoned the horses, and black is usually associated with evil. Faust noticed a group of witches gathered around the Ravestone. Faust asks Mephisto what the witches are doing, and Mephisto responds "I know not what they shape and brew". Faust starts to notice and wonder about the witches actions. Mephisto urges Faust to continue on. Mephisto knows that if he tells Faust to continue going on the journey, he will comply, because Faust always does.

Commentary

This short section of the allegorical poem, when Faust and Mephisto gallop through the open country at night, is significant because Faust prefers to take the beaten path on this journey as well, in his ordinary life, instead of a well traveled road. He is also using the idea of nature which many romantics used. The night is symbolic of darkness that is generated from the devil and from the surroundings. Both of these are in reference to the idea of romanticism. "Artists as self-expressive individuals, the ideas of "nature," death's connection to love, night (i.e., subconscious) fears..." (Dopp).

Study Questions

(1) What is special about the horses that Mephisto and Faust ride?

(2) Where are they going?

(3) What do they pass on their way?

(4) What does Mephisto urge Faust to do as they come up upon the hill?

External Resources

Faust Study Guide

Works Cited

Dopp, Bonnie Jo. "Romanticism: Imagining Freedom." Library Journal 131.3 (2006).