
Faust I
'Faust I' Summary
The principal characters of Faust Part One include:
Heinrich Faust, a scholar, sometimes said to be based on Johann Georg Faust, or on Jacob Bidermann's dramatized account of the Legend of the Doctor of Paris, Cenodoxus; see also Faust
Mephistopheles, the Devil
Gretchen, Faust's love (short for Margarete; Goethe uses both forms)
Marthe Schwerdtlein, Gretchen's neighbour
Valentin, Gretchen's brother
Wagner, Faust's attendant
Faust, Part One takes place in multiple settings, the first of which is Heaven. The demon Mephistopheles makes a bet with God: he says that he can lure God's favourite human being (Faust), who is striving to learn everything that can be known, away from righteous pursuits. The next scene takes place in Faust's study where Faust, despairing at the vanity of scientific, humanistic, and religious learning, turns to magic for the showering of infinite knowledge. He suspects, however, that his attempts are failing. Frustrated, he ponders suicide, but rejects it as he hears the echo of nearby Easter celebrations begin. He goes for a walk with his assistant Wagner and is followed home by a stray poodle.
In Faust's study, the poodle transforms into Mephistopheles. Faust makes an arrangement with him: Mephistopheles will do everything that Faust wants while he is here on Earth, and in exchange Faust will serve the Devil in Hell. Faust's arrangement is that if he is pleased enough with anything Mephistopheles gives him that he wants to stay in that moment forever, then he will die in that moment.
When Mephistopheles tells Faust to sign the pact with blood, Faust complains that Mephistopheles does not trust Faust's word of honor. In the end, Mephistopheles wins the argument and Faust signs the contract with a drop of his own blood. Faust has a few excursions and then meets Margaret (also known as Gretchen). He is attracted to her and with jewelry and with help from a neighbor, Marthe, Mephistopheles draws Gretchen into Faust's arms. With Mephistopheles' aid, Faust seduces Gretchen. Gretchen's mother dies from a sleeping potion, administered by Gretchen to obtain privacy so that Faust could visit her. Gretchen discovers she is pregnant. Gretchen's brother condemns Faust, challenges him and falls dead at the hands of Faust and Mephistopheles. Gretchen drowns her illegitimate child and is convicted of the murder. Faust tries to save Gretchen from death by attempting to free her from prison. Finding that she refuses to escape, Faust and Mephistopheles flee the dungeon, while voices from Heaven announce that Gretchen shall be saved – "Sie ist gerettet" – this differs from the harsher ending of Urfaust – "Sie ist gerichtet!" – "she is condemned."
Book Details
Authors

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, critic, and amateur artist. His works include: four novels; epic and lyric poetry; prose and...
Books by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
Related books

Freimaurer by August von Kotzebue
August von Kotzebue's play "Freimaurer" explores the pervasive curiosity surrounding the secret rituals and practices of Freemasonry. Through a serie...

The Birds by Aristophanes
In the whimsical world of "The Birds," ancient Athens meets a feathery utopia, and human ambition takes flight among the avian inhabitants. Step into...

Curculio; or, The Forgery by Titus Maccius Plautus
Step into the lively streets of ancient Athens and experience a world of comedic chaos, cunning schemes, and mistaken identities in "Curculio; or, The...

Mercator; The Merchant by Titus Maccius Plautus
Mercator is a Roman comedy by Titus Maccius Plautus, set in Athens. It follows the humorous and chaotic consequences of misunderstandings and secrets....

The Verge by Susan Glaspell
This play is Glaspell’s recognition of the way in which Victorian society left some women feeling trapped in roles for which they were unsuited. Becau...

The Princess of Bagdad by Alexandre Dumas fils
Embark on a captivating adventure into the heart of the Arabian Nights with Alexandre Dumas fils's enthralling novel, "The Princess of Bagdad." Prepar...

The Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde
The Duchess of Padua is a play by Oscar Wilde. It is a five-act tragedy set in Padua and written in blank verse. It was written for the actress Mary A...

The Changeling by Thomas Middleton
The Changeling is a Jacobean tragedy written by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. Widely regarded as being among the best tragedies of the English...

Leonce und Lena by Georg Büchner
Das 1895 uraufgeführte Lustspiel Leonce und Lena von Georg Büchner setzt sich an Hand der Liebesgeschichte der Königskinder Leonce und Lena sartirisch...

Shakespeare Monologues Collection vol. 10 (Multilingual) by William Shakespeare
This is the tenth collection of monologues from Shakespeare’s plays. Containing 20 parts.
Reviews for Faust I
No reviews posted or approved, yet...