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Faust: Faust's Study (1): Difference between revisions
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==Notes== | ==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 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" (l. 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 (1. 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). | 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 (l. 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 (l. 1196). | ||
===The Spell of the Four Elements=== | |||
Faust's Spell of the Four Elements refers to the traditional magical practices of invoking the energy of the elements of nature--earth, air, fire, and water--for assistance during a casting. This process is called "elemental balancing" (Adams 58). The purpose of Faust's spell in lines 1055 through 1071 is to force Mephisto to leave his study. Each of the creatures mentioned in the first verse of the spell represent one of the elements. Each of the elements has a specific tool that represents it. For example, fire is represented by the wand. The elements also represent a balance between for things: "intellect (air), will (fire), emotions (water), and body (earth)" (Adams 58). It is believed that without a balance of the elements and what they represent, practicing magic can be dangerous whoever attempts it. | Faust's Spell of the Four Elements refers to the traditional magical practices of invoking the energy of the elements of nature--earth, air, fire, and water--for assistance during a casting. This process is called "elemental balancing" (Adams 58). The purpose of Faust's spell in lines 1055 through 1071 is to force Mephisto to leave his study. Each of the creatures mentioned in the first verse of the spell represent one of the elements. Each of the elements has a specific tool that represents it. For example, fire is represented by the wand. The elements also represent a balance between for things: "intellect (air), will (fire), emotions (water), and body (earth)" (Adams 58). It is believed that without a balance of the elements and what they represent, practicing magic can be dangerous whoever attempts it. | ||
In lines 1179-1187, Faust and Mephisto make references to a pentagram that Faust had drawn on his entryway. The pentagram, also referred to as a pentacle, has been used for centries throughout the practice of witchcraft. Beginning with line 1055, Faust chants The Spell of the Four Elements, so it should be mentioned that the pentagram is the pagan symbol for earth, one of the four elements. The pentagram is a five-pointed star, much like the kind we draw as children. Practitioners of white magic (Wicca) consider the uppermost point to represent life, and the other four points represent each of the four elements of nature used in white magic: earth, air, fire, and water (Adams 61). The pentagram is considered to be a symbol of protection. In the text, the pentagram is used by Faust to keep evil spirits from entering his domain, however, because of the break in the pentagram, it is not whole; thus, spirits may enter but cannot leave (1185-1188). As a side point of interest, had the pentagram been upside down, it would be the symbol for Satanism. | ===Pentagram=== | ||
In lines 1179-1187, Faust and Mephisto make references to a pentagram that Faust had drawn on his entryway. The pentagram, also referred to as a pentacle, has been used for centries throughout the practice of witchcraft. Beginning with line 1055, Faust chants The Spell of the Four Elements, so it should be mentioned that the pentagram is the pagan symbol for earth, one of the four elements. The pentagram is a five-pointed star, much like the kind we draw as children. Practitioners of white magic (Wicca) consider the uppermost point to represent life, and the other four points represent each of the four elements of nature used in white magic: earth, air, fire, and water (Adams 61). The pentagram is considered to be a symbol of protection. In the text, the pentagram is used by Faust to keep evil spirits from entering his domain, however, because of the break in the pentagram, it is not whole; thus, spirits may enter but cannot leave (l. 1185-1188). As a side point of interest, had the pentagram been upside down, it would be the symbol for Satanism. | |||
==Commentary== | ==Commentary== | ||