Faust Part 1

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2021年1月 · CLASSICS TO GO 第 1 本图书 · Otbebookpublishing

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Faust: A Tragedy (German: Faust. Eine Tragödie), or retrospectively Faust. Der Tragödie / erster Teil) is the first part of the tragic play Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and is considered by many as the greatest work of German literature. It was first published in 1808. The first part of Faust is not divided into acts, but is structured as a sequence of scenes in a variety of settings. After a dedicatory poem and a prelude in the theater, the actual plot begins with a prologue in Heaven, where the Lord bets Mephistopheles, an agent of the Devil, that Mephistopheles cannot lead astray the Lord's favorite striving scholar, Dr. Faust. We then see Faust in his study, who, disappointed by the knowledge and results obtainable by science's natural means, attempts and fails to gain knowledge of nature and the universe by magical means. Dejected in this failure, Faust contemplates suicide, but is held back by the sounds of the beginning Easter celebrations. He joins his assistant Wagner for an Easter walk in the countryside, among the celebrating people, and is followed home by a poodle. Back in the study, the poodle transforms itself into Mephistopheles, who offers Faust a contract: he will do Faust's bidding on earth, and Faust will do the same for him in Hell.

作者简介

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) stands as a towering figure in world literature, whose works and ideas transcended the confines of his native Germany to influence the entire Western canon. Born in Frankfurt to a well-to-do family, Goethe's early exposure to literature, art, and science set the stage for a life marked by intellectual curiosity and creative genius.Goethe's literary contributions are vast and varied, encompassing poetry, drama, novels, and scientific treatises. His magnum opus, "Faust," a dramatic exploration of ambition, desire, and redemption, remains a cornerstone of Western literature. Goethe's poetry, characterized by its emotional depth and lyrical beauty, has inspired countless poets and writers, including the likes of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Walt Whitman.A man of the Enlightenment, Goethe was deeply engaged with the scientific and philosophical currents of his time. His work in color theory and his botanical studies showcased his polymathic interests and his belief in the interconnectedness of all knowledge. Goethe's revolutionary ideas about individualism, nature, and the human spirit resonated with the burgeoning Romantic movement, influencing contemporaries such as Friedrich Schiller and later figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson.Not without controversy, Goethe's relationships and political stances often sparked debate. His liaison with Charlotte von Stein, a married woman, and his later relationship with the much younger Christiane Vulpius, whom he eventually married, challenged societal norms. Politically, his pragmatic approach to governance and his service at the Weimar court contrasted with the more radical revolutionary fervor of his age.Goethe's legacy endures not only through his literary masterpieces but also through his profound impact on the cultural and intellectual landscape of his time, making him a figure of enduring fascination for modern readers.