Faust

Faust by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Faust is a tragic play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It tells the story of a man named Faust who makes a pact with the devil, Mephistopheles, in exchange for knowledge and power. The play begins with Faust in despair over his life and his inability to find true satisfaction. He calls upon Mephistopheles, who offers him a deal: if Faust will serve him, Mephistopheles will give him unlimited knowledge and power. Faust agrees, and the two embark on a journey of temptation and destruction. Throughout the play, Faust is tempted by Mephistopheles to pursue pleasure and power, and he often succumbs to these temptations. He seduces a young woman named Gretchen, and she becomes pregnant with his child. He also attempts to gain control of the world by using magic and other supernatural means. In the end, Faust is redeemed by the love of Gretchen and the grace of God. He is taken to Heaven, and his soul is saved. The play ends with a moral lesson about the consequences of making a deal with the devil.

By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe · First published 1775 · Genre: Romanticism, Drama, Fantasy · 27 chapters · 33,172 words

First lines

FAUST (_A lofty-arched, narrow, Gothic chamber_. FAUST, _in a chair at his desk, restless_. ): I've studied now Philosophy And Jurisprudence, Medicine,-- And even, alas! Theology,-- From end to end, with labor keen; And here, poor fool! with all my lore I stand, no wiser than before: I'm Magister--yea, Doctor--hight, And straight or cross-wise, wrong or right, These ten years long, with many woes, I've led my scholars by the nose,-- And see, that nothing can be known! _That_ knowledge cuts me to the bone. I'm cleverer, true, than those fops of teachers, Doctors and Magisters, Scribes and Preachers; Neither scruples nor doubts come now to smite me, Nor Hell nor Devil can longer affright me.

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-approximately 1540 · Banned Books from Anne Haight's list · Best Books Ever Listings · Drama · Faust · Faust, -approximately 1540 · German poetry · Germany · Harvard Classics · Historical Novel · Legends · Magicians

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