Book Review
Dr. Brunet
Name_________________________________
Faust, pt. 1 by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Goethe began work on Faust in 1776 and completed the work in two parts in 1802. It is
based on an older European legend (which pre-dates Marlowe’s version) of a man who sells
his soul to the devil in return for knowledge, wealth and power. Since Goethe’s Faust is
considered to be representative of an artistic movement named Romanticism, it would be
helpful to consider just what Romanticism is.
Forget the mass-produced romance novels of today (although they do have their origins in
the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries). Romanticism was in many ways a
rejection of the Enlightenment ideals of balance, harmony, reasoning, logic and order.
Romantic artists, painters and writers instead embraced emotion, mysticism, irrationality,
the spiritual…embodying hope, terror, love and other strong feelings. Romantic art was not
supposed to be experienced on an intellectual level but instead was produced to invoke
strong emotional responses from the audience…you weren’t supposed to think about your
reactions to an opera, or a painting, or a novel, you were supposed to enjoy it on a purely
sensual and visceral level for the emotions that it invoked inside you. Considering this, it is
hard to find any overall theme for Faust…it wasn’t really written for religious or moral
purposes.
Incorporate the following questions into an essay. I want to see how far you’ve come as a
critical writer. Answer the questions first, THEN write an introduction/conclusion. Good
luck.
1. How does Goethe’s Faust differ from Marlowe’s Faust in temperament and personality?
2. Unlike Marlowe’s Faust, Goethe’s Faust is saved in the end (you did not read pt. 2, but it
ends with angels tricking Mephistopheles and carrying Faust’s soul to heaven). Why do you
think it is important for the play to end happily? Why do you think Faust is redeemed in the
end? In what way does this reflect the Enlightenment idea of salvation?
3. Why is Gretchen so important to the development of Faust’s character? Even though she
does “evil” deeds in the play, she is a sympathetic character. Why does Goethe portray her
as such?
4. In a way, Mephistopheles is the embodiment of Faust’s “evil impulses”…Faust is the
motivation but it is actually the devil that carries out the actions that gain Faust whatever
he desires. How does this absolve Faust of the consequences of Mephistopheles’ actions?
Give examples from the book.
5. Although the devil is, well, evil, he is also sly, mischievous, animated and likable. Why do
you think Faust portrayed Mephistopheles as such an interesting and funny character
(instead of the sinister persona of modern cinema)?
Due the beginning of class May 5th. Use this page as a cover sheet.