How Is Faust A Romantic Hero

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In Goethe’s Faust, Faust demonstrates attributes of a romantic hero through his rejection of the academic system, his passion for experience and his spontaneity; this reveals the dominance of the individualist ideology of the time. Universities and the academic system are a rational part of life, however, romanticism rejects rationality, and Faust rejects the academic system. “I’ve studied…And how I regret it…Poor foolish old man, I am no whit wiser than where I began!” (116-121). He is not happy with his life as a university professor and believes it has benefitted no one. Instead of relying on the school system to learn what “holds the universe together” (147), one must go out as individual and seek that for themselves through experience.

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