Faust: Faust's Study (2)

Summary

In this scene the dialogue is mostly between Mephisto and Faust. Mephisto returns to see Faust in his study. This is when Faust begins to tell how nothing in the world can make him happy. Mephisto then makes a deal with him that he will serve him and help him find happiness. This deal consists of Mephisto being Faust's servant while here on Earth, "but if [they] meet each other there (Hell), why you must do the same for me"(554). In return though, if Faust is found to be completely satisfied, then Faust will die and Mephisto gets his soul. Faust agrees to this, but Mephisto says that he wants something in writing as proof of the deal. Faust seems a little skeptical of the idea, but agrees to it anyway.

Notes

To start off "Faust's Study II" the reader hears Faust telling Mephisto to "Come In" three diffrent times beofre Mephisto actually enters. It is said that this is done because this then clarifies Faust's "willingness to become involved in the evil the spirit represents" (Brians). Once Mephisto has entered, Faust realizes that he is dressed extremely nice. He is wearing a "scarlett suit, all over gold braid...a stiff silk cape, a gay cock's feather in [his] cap"(551). This shows that Mephisto is trying to portray himself to Faust as a powerful man.

The deal that Faust and Mephisto make is simple. Mephisto says that he will be Faust's faithful servant here, but if Faust goes to Hell, he must do the same for Mephisto there. Mephisto insists that he must have proof in writing of this agreement, and that it must be signed in blood. Mephisto insists on this blood signature because then Faust "can hardly claim he didn't know what he was getting into, since signing a contract with the Devil in blood is notoriously a damnable thing to do"(Brians). Later on in the scene Mephisto pretends to be Faust when talking to a student. Mephisto writes a Latin phrase on the student's album that translates to "Ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil"(562). Mephisto writing this and telling the student that he got the phrase from his aunt, the snake,this is a hint that he is really evil and a follower of the Devil. We assume that the snake reference refers to the evil serpent in the book of Genesis, in the Bible.

Commentary

Throughout this scene the reader sees how Mephisto is in control of Faust. He goes along with everything that Mephisto says. Faust ends up getting himself in a situation that eventually will not turn out in his favor. Erich Heller states that "Faust could only be damned or saved"(Heller 137). Faust, at first, was portrayed as a strong character, but by this point in the story, one will see that he is not. Heller also made the note that "Faust's soul was an unfit object for any clearly stated transaction between Heaven and Hell" (Heller 137).

Study Questions

1. What is the significance of Faust asking Mephisto to enter three different times?

2. How is Mephisto dressed?

3. What kind of mood or mindset is Faust in at this time?

4. What kind of agreement or deal do Faust and Mephisto make?

5. What are the consequenes of this deal?

6. What "grotesque" part of Faust is a must, for the deal to be "in writing"?

7. Who does Mephisto pretend to be when talking to the student?

8. From where is the phrase derived that Mephisto writes on the student's album?

9. What does this phrase symbolize?

Works Cited

Brians, Paul. "Study Guide for Goethe's Faust." Department of English, 14 June 1995. Washinton State University, Pullman 99164-5020. 22 February 2006. <http://www.wsu.edu/brians/hum/>

Heller, Erich. "Goethe: A Collection of Critical Essays." Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1968.

Molnar, Geza Von. " Hidden In Plain View: Another Look at Goethe's Faust." The American Society For Eightenth Century Studies. (2002). 469-496.

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