from Faust by Goethe
• Romantics idealized nature and lifestyles of
those living close to it. It was a response to the
industrial character of the time.
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote Faust over
60 years.
• It is based largely on a legendary Dr. Faust of
the 16th century. He was a magician whom
people widely believed sold his soul to the Devil
in exchange for his magical skills.
• It is part drama, epic, and tragedy, yet salvation
comes at the end. Part 1 presents the central
problem-whether Mephisto can win Faust’s soul by
offering him worldly possession or power.
Prologue in Heaven
1. Mephisto is addressing God. It is a casual
conversation between them.
2. Man is the small god of the world. Mephisto
views humanity as unhappy, loathsome, and
stupid.
3. Man is compared to a cicada. Man makes
the same mistakes all the time.
4. Faust is not satisfied on earth and he has no
peace in his life.
5. A metaphor is used. The gardener is the
Lord. The tree is Faust (humanity), and the
bloom and fruit represent a person’s faith and
goodness.
6. Mephisto bets that he can win Faust’s soul if
the Lord will let him try.
7. Faust’s dissatisfaction with life on earth and
his desire to attain all that heaven has to offer
suggest that he may be willing to sell his
soul.
8. A cat likes to hunt and trap a mouse. Then
the cat often plays with the mouse before
killing and eating it.
9. The Lord believes that Faust is a good man
and will choose the “right road” (line 59).
10. A soliloquy is used to Mephisto’s
disrespect toward the Lord.
Faust’s Study
1. Mephisto is sarcastic and mocking towards
both of them. He shows some deference to
the Lord but he shows little respect towards
Faust.
2. Faust is in despair and willing to sell his soul
to the devil for the chance to advance his
knowledge.
3. Faust distrusts Mephisto and believes that
the devil wants something in return for his
services.
4. Mephisto states his terms. I will be your
slave on earth but I will have your soul in the
afterlife.
5. Faust challenges Mephisto to produce food
that does not satisfy hunger and fruit that rots
before it can be picked. Faust wants to see
these things because they are beyond the
limits of human knowledge.
6. If I ever grow lazy, you may kill me. If your
flattery should make me become too pleased
with myself or if I become attracted by pleasure,
then you may seize my soul.
7. He wants it down in writing. Faust is a man
of honor and does not need to put it down in
writing.
8. Faust is using sarcasm to indicate politely
that the choice of writing instruments is up to
Mephisto. Faust is mocking the devil for his
pettiness.
9. Mephisto uses blood to symbolize the
seriousness of the pact and create a strong
bond between them.
10. Faust wishes to learn everything and feel
everything-even experiences that cause
pain or distress.
11. Hyperbole is used to emphasize Faust’s
deep desire to learn everything within
heaven and earth. Faust would be willing
to do anything to gain this knowledge.
12. Mephisto does not take Faust seriously.
Mephisto does not think it’s possible for
Faust to achieve his goals.
13. Mephisto will tempt Faust with all life has
to offer but without satisfying any of his
real desires.
14. Mephisto has nothing but contempt for
Faust. When Mephisto made the deal with
Faust, he was friendlier and more
sympathetic.