Faust / Eine Tragödie von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Erster Theil.

Title

Faust / Eine Tragödie von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Erster Theil.

Description

Faust, a tragedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. First part on 128 pages with 50 drawings by Alexander Liezen-Mayer and ornaments by Rudolf von Seitz and a table of contents.

ca. 1876

Artist

Kunstverlag Stroefer's (27.03.1843-09.07.1927)

Historical Description

Faust. A Tragedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is considered one of the most important and most cited works of German-language literature. Published in 1808, the tragedy takes up the story of the historical Doctor Faustus and expands it into a parable of humanity in Faust II. The plot of "Faust I" combines the "scholars' tragedy" and the "Gretchen tragedy". Heinrich Faust, like his historical role model Johann Georg Faust (ca. 1480-1538) a researcher and teacher who is no longer young but respected, takes a self-critical stock of his life: as a scientist he lacks deep insight and useful results, and as a human being he is incapable of enjoying life in its fullness. Deeply depressed and tired of life, he promises Mephisto his soul if the latter should succeed in freeing Faust from his discontent and providing him with constant variety. Mephisto makes a pact with Faust in the form of a devil's wager. Mephisto, who can be regarded as a devil and who, in addition to magic powers, also has humor and charm at his disposal, is anxious to lead Faust astray. He transforms him back into a young man, takes him on a journey through the world and helps him to arrange a love affair with young Margarete (Gretchen), an initially naive young woman with whom Faust immediately falls in love after Mephisto hands him a magic potion. Faust brings Gretchen to a life crisis by seducing her and impregnating her in the process, and by bringing about the deaths of Gretchen's mother and brother. Gretchen gives birth to an illegitimate child, kills it out of desperation, and is subsequently arrested. Faust wants to save her from execution with the devil's help; he tries in vain to persuade her to flee, but cannot convince her to do so. He finally has to leave her to her fate and to the mercy of God.