
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

Sir Harry Wildair by George Farquhar
Sir Harry Wildair is a Restoration comedy by George Farquhar, a sequel to his earlier play *The Constant Couple*. Set in the bustling and fashionable...

Witches' Brew (MacBeth Act IV Scene I) by William Shakespeare
This book is a collection of seven audio recordings of the Witches' Brew scene from Act IV Scene I of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It features different int...

When We Dead Awaken by Henrik Ibsen
The first act takes place outside a spa overlooking a fjord. Sculptor Arnold Rubek and his wife Maia have just enjoyed breakfast and are reading newsp...

Conqueror Worm by Edgar Allan Poe
'Conqueror Worm' is a dramatic and haunting poem by Edgar Allan Poe. It explores themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the ultimately...

Athaliah by Jean Racine
In the ancient kingdom of Judah, a relentless battle for power ensues, shrouded in a web of ambition, loyalty, and divine intervention. Jean Racine's...

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...

The Dance of Death by August Strindberg
For twenty-five years Edgar, a captain in the Swedish coast artillery, and his wife, Alice, live an unhappy existence. Their unhappiness is caused by...

The Maid's Tragedy by Francis Beaumont
Beaumont and Fletcher's The Maid's Tragedy (first published 1619) is a sensational Jacobean sex tragedy. When gentleman soldier Melantius returns to R...
Reviews for Faust I
No reviews posted or approved, yet...