How many versions of faustus are there

The legend warns us to be wary of the cult of the ego, the seductions of fame and the celebration of power. If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter. And if you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. Popular culture. What the myth of Faust can teach us. Share using Email.

By Benjamin Ramm 26th September With the exception of Frankenstein, it is difficult to think of a more enduring modern legend. The temptations of Fascism dominate 20th-Century Faustian parables. The Faust legend has thrived in a culture of instant gratification. A famous German sage and adventurer born in was thought by many of his contemporaries to be a magician and probably did practice some sort of black magic.

Few details of his life are certain, but it is known that he capitalized on the situation by calling himself "Faust the Younger," thus acquiring the occult reputation of the legendary character. After a sensational career, this Faust died during a mysterious demonstration of flying which he put on for a royal audience in It was generally believed that he had been carried away by the devil. One of the scenes of Goethe's tragedy is set in Auerbach's Cellar in Leipzig, the city of this fatal exhibition, because the walls of the old tavern were decorated with representations of Faust's exploits, and the place was traditionally connected with him.

A biography of Faust, the Historia von D. Johann Fausten, based upon the shadowy life of Faust the Younger, but including many of the fanciful legendary stories, was published in Frankfurt in That same year it was translated into English as The Historie of the damnable life and deserved death of Doctor John Faustus.

In both these popular editions of the "Faust-Book," the famed magician's deeds and pact with the devil are recounted, along with much pious moralizing about his sinfulness and final damnation. It was in this version that the legend took on a permanent form.

When the Renaissance came to northern Europe, Faust was made into a symbol of free thought, anti-clericalism, and opposition to Church dogma. The first important literary treatment of the legend was that of the English dramatist, Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe's Tragical History of Doctor Faustus , now usually referred to as Doctor Faustus was the forerunner of all later English tragedies and had a revolutionary effect on the development of dramatic art.

It is still renowned for its exciting theatricality, its beautiful blank verse, and its moving portrayal of a human soul in despair because he cannot accept God and so is condemned to damnation. Faust and Mephistopheles then involve themselves in a series of pranks that, rather than gaining Faust any type of power, render him as petty and powerless. It is not until Faust is being dragged to hell in his last hour, however, that he truly begins to regret his decision.

The original appearance of Faust in lore is one of a sinful man conspiring with the devil. Goethe brings a new perspective into the folklore — because Faust claims that Mephistopheles will never be able to show him satisfaction, he is predicting his own downfall and condemning himself to unhappiness from the very beginning. Throughout the novel, Faust tries to level himself with supernatural beings — desiring to be on an equal plane with them. The thread of thought is torn asunder, and I am surfeited with knowledge still.

This characterizes the alienation that Faust feels in his surroundings and makes him an excellent portrayal of the Modern Man—individualistic, at odds with society, and highly educated. Furthermore, because of this alienation, Faust is unable to take moral responsibility for his actions. Stuart Atkins. It is this irresponsibility that results in the death of Gretchen and fills Faust with regret.

When Gretchen asked Faust whether he believed in God, his reply is one that is slightly heretical — he states that feeling and God are very much the same thing to him. Yet even so, Faust is very quick to make a deal with the devil and spurns possible salvation many times.

The real historical Faustus came onto the scene as a scholar and persistently reappeared in literature assuming different identities which, however, shared basically the same qualities. Her publications include articles on the Victorian and postmodern English novel, Shakespeare and fantasy fiction. There are currently no reviews for this title. Please do revisit this page again to see if some have been added.

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