Faust's Relationship With The Spirit Of Evil

859 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Mephistopheles in faust

In Goethe's first part of Faust, Faust does not hold a relationship one would expect with the spirit of evil known as Mephistopheles. The play suggests that the devil should not be misconceived as being a pure source of evil, but rather it is mankind who holds some responsibility. Through their relationship, Faust reaches the capacity to have a greater satisfaction in life than ever which pushes him to have an understanding and connection with Nature he did not hold. Mephistopheles indirectly helps Faust form a better relationship with Nature. Faust calls out "Oh, endless Nature, where shall I embrace you" (line 455) because he seeks this connection with life. When he meets the Earth Spirit, he is afraid to face it and says "Alas this sigh's …show more content…

He says "To dizzying, painful joy I dedicate myself" (line 1766). Faust displays how highly he regards the knowledge of life that he exchanges it for his life. He believes that through the pain the devil shall cause him "my mind shall grasp the heights and depths...thus I'll expand myself" (line 1774). This reveals that Faust agrees to this wager with the devil because he believes Mephistopheles will also cause him suffering which will allow him to recognize that he is alive. Through this pain he concludes this will allow him to become a better poet. Upon his realization of Gretchen's fate, Faust blames Mephistopheles shouting "You dog! You repulsive monster! (line ). However, Mephistopheles puts this in perspective for Faust by questioning "Who was it who ruined her? I, or you" (line ). Faust blames the devil at once rather than himself because it would seem to be the more logical choice since Mephistopheles is the devil. This nonetheless illustrates the point that their relationship displays that humanity is capable of destruction. The devil never forced Faust to ruin Gretchen. Additionally, during his conversation with the Lord the devil scorns mankind for using Reason saying, "He calls it Reason, and it has only increased his power to be beastlier than a beast" (line 285). This is a principle that Faust went by and why he caused …show more content…

He allows Faust to find more meaning to life which he at the start of the play described as unsatisfying. It is Faust, who is on the verge of taking his life he finds to be pointless yet in the final scene he has formed a meaningful opinion on life. This can be seen while he is attempting to save Gretchen and wants her to follow her "into freedom" (line 4537). He no longer sees just a "paper world". The devil has led him to live satisfying moments with Gretchen. He experiences emotion and love because of him for the first time. Furthermore, Mephistopheles ironically serves as passage to heaven for Faust. When Mephistopheles visits heaven the Lord tell him "you may feel free to come and call. You are a type I never learned to hate" (line 336). This demonstrates that although he is the devil, Mephistopheles is not a typical force of evil. Rather, he symbolizes that Faust too can enter heaven even though he has made a wager with the devil. The relationship between Faust and Mephistopheles changes throughout the play because initially, Faust sees the devil as someone who will only cause him pain in exchange for knowledge. However, Faust is the only one who causes this pain which is seen in his destruction of Gretchen. Regardless, Faust learns what it means to be guided by emotion and it is this greater knowledge that Mephistopheles teaches

Show More
Related

  • Faust, the Superman Before the Übermensch Theory

    1612 Words  | 4 Pages

    The protagonist in Goethe's Faust I is a controversial character. Doctor Faust's moral character is not clearly defined and as a result, it makes it difficult for one to determine if he is a good or bad person. Despite the ambiguities, several pieces of evidence throughout the play show that Doctor Faust is a negative figure. Firstly, although Faust's perspective and character most likely started off to be positive, they are generally negative at the beginning of the play. Secondly, Faust's actions are not acceptable according to society's standards, therefore making him an immoral person. In Goethe's Faust I, Doctor Faust is a negative figure because he is an immoral man shown by his attitude and personality, notably the characteristics that resemble the Übermensch.

    Read More

  • Commentary Against Absurdity in Goethe's Faust

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first victims of satire in Faust are Satan and God, who appear in somewhat small-scale form in an early scene that parallels the Book of Job. In Goethe's Heaven reigns "The Lord," to whom a trio of archangels ascribe creation. Enter Mephistopheles, and all semblance of seriousness is lost. Introduced as a demon, and arguably THE Devil, he is witty, cynical, and in general a caricature of what religionists throughout the ages have labeled pure evil. The Lord proceeds to give Mephistopheles permission to go to his "good servant" Faust,...

    Read More

  • Devil´s Power in Mr. Faustus and Bedazzled

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout history, the Devil has constantly tempted people. That much can be agreed upon. However, the similarities between these two works also show that the reason the Devil has tempted people is actually constant as well, to enlarge his kingdom. Unfortunately, their motives for enlarging this kingdom are not so alike. When Dr. Faustus inquires as to what good his soul will do to the Devil, the demon Mephistopheles responds, “[to] enlarge his kingdom […] to have the human souls of men” (Marlow 2). The Devil from Dr. Faustus appears to cultivate his kingdom with the hope of increasing his own power and possibly challen...

    Read More

  • Variation Of A Faustian Tale In The Devil And Homer Simpson

    1314 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Faust, part I, Faust is given Mephistopheles as his servant on earth, until he reaches complete happiness, “[t]hen [Faust will] do the same for [him]” in hell(87). Faust never reaches complete happiness in the end and eventually goes to heaven. The deal in “The Devil and Tom Walker” is that Tom gets a pirate’s treasure and a multitude of wealth, but he has to use the money for evil, and the Devil gets his soul. In the end, after he had a lot of evil over his life, he accidentally said, “‘The devil take me,’” without meaning it, and was taken to hell(135). In “The Devil and Homer Simpson,” Homer gets a donut, but “the instant [he] finish[es] it [the Devil] own[s his] soul”(Daniels, McGrath). Homer inevitably eats the donut, but he gets to go on trial for his soul, and his wife, Marge, saves his soul by saying he already promised it to her. In all of these stories, a physical contract was made with the devil, so it seems like the Faust character could not get out of it, but the deal is different for each story, and each one has a different outcome to portray a different message. Goethe conveys that complete happiness cannot be reached, but that it is never too late to be saved. “The Devil and Tom Walker” conveys that it is harmful to try to get a desired thing through evil means by making Tom go to hell in the end after all the evil he had done. In “The Devil and Homer Simpson,” Homer finding a

    Read More

  • Deluded Pursuit in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus

    420 Words  | 1 Pages

    Faustus' hunger for immediate gratification suggests immense self-torment and self-denial. Weighing his options at each instant of time, he maximizes his pleasure and minimizes his pain, apparently discounting the implications of his decisions on his prospects and happiness in the future. Rebelling against God, he invites the devil's temptations, hoping to obtain an offer like Satan's to Jesus in the desert wilderness. One understands why Satan imputes an infinite value to Christ's soul. However, why does Faustus' soul warrant twenty-four years of service by Mephostophilis?

    Read More

  • A Divided Self: The Many Facets of Faustus

    2087 Words  | 5 Pages

    Having attained all that he desires from the knowledge of man, Marlowe’s character Faustus turns to the only remaining school of thought that he feels he must master which is the art of necromancy. In his pursuits, he manages to summon the devil Mephistopheles, arch demon of hell, and strikes a deal to trade his immortal soul with Lucifer in exchange for being granted an infinite amount of power and knowledge that extends even beyond the limits of human understanding. However in the process of negotiating the terms of his pact, it becomes clear that Faust is in a constant state of uncertainty in terms of whether he should repent and forsake the arrangement or simply go through with it. This underlying theme of internal struggle is introduced very early and reappears in later acts with the appearance of established binaries that suggest a theme of division not only among the character of John Faustus, but within the written text as a whole. This suggests that Faustus is meant to serve as a symbol for the divided nature of man and the consequences of failing to negotiate the struggles that are a result of the divided self.

    Read More

  • Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    336 Words  | 1 Pages

    1. Faust is a play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe . He published part I of the tradgedy in 1808, and Part II was published in 1832. The play was originally written in the German language. In summary, an old scholar, Faust is dissatisfied and yearns to comprehend not just all knowledge, but all experience. In such a quest, Faust makes a bargain with a spirit named Mephistopheles. The pact provides for the loss of Faust's soul in the event that Mephistopheles should provide him with any sensuous experience to his liking. Among the temptations offered by Mephistopheles is a young girl by the name of Margaret (Gretchen), whom Faust seduces and abandons, indirectly causing her death and that of the child they conceived together. In Part II, Faust continues his association with Mephistopheles and, among other adventures, has a love affair with Helen of Troy and fathers a son with her. Later, still with the aid of Mephistopheles, Faust reclaims lands from the sea which he intends to turn into a paradise on earth -- his legacy to humankind. Happy with his efforts and a vision of the future, Faust is caught in a moment of satisfaction which Mephistopheles claims as his victory. At the last moment, however, God's angels save Faust and bear his soul to heaven where he is reunited with Gretchen and appointed as teacher of the blessed.

    Read More

  • The Concept Of Romanticism In Faust By Johann Wolfgang Von Faust

    974 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first appearance of Faust in the story finds him having doubts about himself and the worth of his time spent in education. Undeterred by this depression, we see his pride has not diminished as he declares he is “cleverer than these stuffed shirts, these Doctors, M.A.s, Scribes and Priests, I’m not bothered by a doubt or a scruple, I’m not afraid of Hell or the Devil” (Goethe 633). Turning to magic to fill the void in his life, Faust conjures a spirit, but shrinks back from it in fear. In the ensuing argument between them, Faust asserts that he is the spirits “equal” (Goethe 637). Mephisto’s second visit at Faust’s residence leads them to having a drawn out discussion over the proposal of Mephisto serving Faust in exchange for his soul. Common sense might ask why a person would willingly discuss a deal with the devil knowing that it probably won’t end well. This instance would have to be answered that the imperious pride of Faust made him “so rash that he would give no heed to the salvation of his soul He thought the devil could not be so black as he is painted nor hell so hot as is generally supposed” (Fischer 107). In spite of his vast education, Faust’s pride pulls him into wagering his soul with Mephisto and causing the deaths of others and his

    Read More

  • Faustus And Mephastophilis Analysis

    1889 Words  | 4 Pages

    The relationship between Faustus and Mephastophilis creates a dynamic that is rejected by society at this time. Although Faustus is well educated, he still lacks the one thing he truly desires: someone to control him, especially in a sexual manner. When Faustus decides to give Mephastophilis his soul for servitude, Faustus proclaims: “Lo, Mephastophilis, for love of thee, / I cut my arm, and with my proper blood, / Assure my soul to be great Lucifer’s,” (I.V.53-54). The declaration of love for Mephastophilis suggests that Faustus realized that, by giving Mephastophilis his soul, he will be able to gain his desire for control through Mephastophilis acting as his servant and granting him his wishes. Faustus does not realize until the last line of the play, however, that Mephastophilis is the one who is

    Read More

  • Doctor Faustus - Analysis

    1782 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mephistophilis is the opposite of Faustus. Mephistophilis is the stereotype of the typical conniving Devil’s assistant. He is always pressuring Faustus to listen to his “bad angel” and act upon his desires instead of his intellect. Mephistophilis’ personality influences the entire pl...

    Read More

  • The Power Of Power In Dr. Faustus

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play progresses to Faustus gaining power but doing nothing productive with it because he has no wisdom to guide himself on. Faustus wishes for power and has plans looking forward to his future life but as he gains it, he starts to lose his wisdom as power clearly took a toll on his mind. He becomes a performer for an emperor and finally ends up believing there is no redemption for his life as he knows he has sinned against God before and after his deal with the devil which what he believes - his last straw with God. Faustus crumbles after he has too much of the weight of power in his hands to the point it ruins him, as he has no wisdom to properly organize his goals or

    Read More

  • Doctor Faustus Essays: Critical Analysis of Faustus

    610 Words  | 2 Pages

    This play is about how Faustus puts on a performance for the Emperor and the Duke of Vanholt.  The main thesis or climax of this play is when Faustus two friends Valdes and Cornelius who are magicians, teaches him the ways of magic.  Faustus uses this magic to summon up a devil named Mephistophilis.  Faustus signs over his soul to Lucifer (Satan), in return to keep Mephistophilis for 24 years.  We also see what happens when magic power gets in the wrong hands when Mephistophilis punishes Robin, who is a clown and his friend Ralph for trying to make magic with a book they have stolen from Faustus.  In the beginning angels visit Faustus, and each time he wonders whether or not to repent, but the devil appears and warns him not too by tempting him of magic to posses.  In the end of the play the two good and evil angels have been replaced by an old man, who urges Faustus to repent?  But it is to late for and the play ends with the devil carrying him off the hell.

    Read More

  • Character of Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust

    644 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mephistopheles, from the epic poem Faust, by Goethe, is one of the most interesting characters if examined carefully. Much like today's crude interpretations of the devil, Mephistopheles was a skeptic, a gambler, self- confident, witty, stubborn, smart, creative, tempting and of course, evil. There were very ironic things about him. Though he was evil, he was a force of goodness. The evil in him was portrayed in the negative aspects of Faust's personality, which showed that no matter how powerful the Lord was, the devil would always have an impact on a persons life and decisions.

    Read More

  • Doctor Faustus Essays: Dr. Faustus and the Christian Moral

    534 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Act I, Faustus is given the chance to ask Mephostophilis whatever he wants to know. Faustus asks where hell is and he wants some information about hell. When the play starts Faustus is not scared of death and he later tells Mephostophilis "I think hell's a fable" (Marlowe 43). You can also make the assumption that he believes that the only place you go after you die is to heaven. Towards the end of the play he believes that heaven and hell exists and that you can spend eternity there. Faustus could be also thought of as an Atheist because during some of the acts of the play he denies that there is a God and he thinks of religion as a false ritual. Faustus even calls on God, "Ah my God... I would weep, but the devil drains my tears"(96). The part of the play that best describes his beliefs is right after he sells his soul to the devil and he deciding whether or not to repent. He states," My heart is hardened, I cannot repent. Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven. Swords, poison, halters, and envenomed my steel Are laid before me to dispatch myself.......I am resolved, Faustus shall not repent"(45). When he does finally ask for forgiveness and wants to repent to God, he is denied and is forced to spend eternity in hell. The Cultural Studies method describes someone's moral or beliefs. It can relate to other methods, but they are not as well described in this play. In the play we learn about what Faustus' religious beliefs are and how it relates to Cultural Studies. The book was written during Shakespeare's time and what they knew about Heaven or Hell is probably different than what we believe today.

    Read More

  • Tragic Fate of Doctor Faustus

    1702 Words  | 4 Pages

    Doctor Faustus act of sin is very similar to what human being faces everyday in our lives. We all want to learn and want to gain knowledge and while achieving what we want, we make mistakes and fall but we continue with our path and we also know how not to make same mistakes twice. Faustus’s act of selling his soul was all because of him being ambitious to gain power that he never had, and he exchanges the twenty-four years of power with his soul. Faustus wanting to gain power and wanting to have knowledge of something that he never had is very similar to what we want in our lives. Humans always seek for something new and something to achieve. We have curiosity and jealousy that makes us going forward rather than staying still in one place. So when I was reading this play, I felt the connection with Faustus and felt the ending was such tragedy. I felt sympathy when Doctor Faustus said, “O soul, be changed to little water drops and fall into the ocean. Ne-re be found. My God, my God, look not so fierce on me!” (Scene 13. 108-110) This phrase was very emotional because it shows Faustus’s ...

    Read More

More about Faust's Relationship With The Spirit Of Evil

Open Document