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Faust: Difference between revisions
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==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
Faust makes a deal with the devil to make his life rich in achievement. He had accomplished so much in his studies, but still felt emptiness in his life. Faust realizes that through all of his hard work that he is alone and has nothing to show for it. | |||
As Faust sits alone in his study and contemplates his life he is constantly wondering how he fits into the universe. In doing so he conjures up a spirit. When the spirit appears Faust is actually shocked when he realizes what he has done. The spirit is equally surprised. The spirit tells Faust this in stating, “I find Superman! I come at your bidding and you are struck stupid”(528). | |||
Throughout the play we discover that Faust’s father was a doctor that practiced “black magic”. Being highly respected in his village, people looked up to him not only because of his father, but because of his education. This is shown in the play during the Easter celebration, when several of the local peasants are glad to see Faust. He usually didn’t attend such events. Even when the plague hit Faust helped his father, the doctor by removing bodies and the peasants remembered it. They tell Faust that by saying, “Out they carried out many a corpse, but never yours. Much you went through; us you saved and God saved you”(539). | |||
As Faust and Wagner , a student are walking through the village they see a black poodle. Faust immediately suspects that the dog is not what he seems. He thinks the dog is trying to cast a spell over them. Wagner on the other hand tells Faust that it is just a dog and that he should adopt him. Faust takes that black dog home with him, only to find out that he could not stop the dog from barking. Faust couldn’t keep the dog from barking and tells him to leave. The poodle then turns into a demon. Faust then tries to conjure up a spell against the creature and in doing so he states, “ Against such a creature, My first defense”(546). Come to find out, that it is Mephistoples inside the poodle. He was trying to cast a spell over Faust. Mephisto shows Faust his powers and promises Faust that if he joins up with him that he will live a life of privilege and wealth. Mephisto states, “I’ll walk beside you life’s long route, your good companion”(553). Before Mephisto will become Faust loyal companion, he wants Faust to sign a contract with him. Faust tells him that he will do whatever it takes. Mephisto says, “In that case, an agreement is easy. Come, dare it! Come your signature”(554). Faust is a little upset when Mephisto asks him to sign a contract on paper and in blood, but Faust is easily persuaded into believing that it is totally innocent. It is at this time that Faust first suspects his new friend of being more than just your average friendly spirit. | |||
Mephisto decides to show Faust bit of excitement by showing him how fun his new life is going to be. He takes him to a pub. As Mephisto and Faust enter the bar, Mephisto walks with a limp like the Devil with hooven feet. This is noticed by one of the partons in the pub, but is easily dismissed when Mephisto becomes the life of the party. The happy times are quickly over when Mephisto shows a little of his magic. The people in the pub are offended by his magic. They tell Mephisto, “You’ve got nerve, trying out on us stuff like that damned Hocus-pocus”(569)! | |||
Later in the play Faust and Mephisto pas a young lady and immediately Faust becomes infatuated with her. Faust tells Mephisto that he has to have the young lady (Margarete). They devise a scheme to seduce Margarete. Mephisto states, ”This evening you will meet her neighbors”(586). Faust finally gets the chance to be alone with Margarete and she tells him of her life. She basically lost her whole family except for her brother who is a soldier. Margarete plays hard to get because she is scared of Faust, but she finally gives in. | |||
Faust feels betrayed by Mephisto when he tells him that he is wasting his time waiting on Margarete. Mephisto tells Faust that he has deserted Margarete. Faust reassures Margarete that he loves her. Faust then tries to give Margarete’s mother a sleeping potion so they both can be together. | |||
Margarete hears a rumor that a girl in her village has become pregnant. She feels sad because of how she treated the girls. Margarete states, “How full of blame I used to be, how scornful of any girl who got herself into trouble”(600)! | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||