Faust: An Overcast Day, a Field
Summary
Faust discovers that Gretchen has been imprisoned, and Mephistopheles has known and not said a word. He is very distraught over the news: "A condemned criminal, shut up in a dungeon and suffering horrible torments, the poor unfortunate child!" (l. 4247-4248). With indifference, Mephisto states that Gretchen would not be the first person to suffer, sending Faust into an even angrier state. Mephisto basically tells him that everything that happened to Gretchen and thus far in his life is his fault--he signed the contract, he impregnated Gretchen. Faust demands that Mephisto do something to save Gretchen from her fate, and Mephisto tells Faust that he will only be able to assist in the rescue. Faust must physically liberate her from the prison.
Notes
Commentary
Study Questions
(1)What does Faust discover at the beginning of this section?
(2)Why does this discovery cause him to turn to Mephisto in anger?
(3)Why did Mephisto not share this information with Faust?
(4)What is Mephisto's callous remark in regards to Gretchen and her plight?
(5)Who is the Spirit that Faust keeps beseeching?
(6) What does he want this spirit to do?
(7)How does Mephisto place the blame for this occurance on Faust?
(8)What does Faust demand that Mephisto do in regards to the information he has discovered?
(9) What reason does Mephisto give that he and Faust should not return to save Gretchen?
(10)Mephisto says he only has the power to assist in rescuing Gretchen. How must she be liberated?
(11)What will take Faust and Mephisto to the prison?