Summary of “Faust”
Tragedy IV Goethe “Faust” was written in 1774 – 1831 years and refers to the literary trend of romanticism. The work is the main work of the writer, over which he worked throughout most of his life. At the heart of the plot of the tragedy lies the German Legend of Faust, a famous warlock of the 16th century. Particular attention is drawn to the composition of the tragedy. Two parts of “Faust” are contrasted: the first depicts the relationship of the doctor with the spiritually clean girl Margarita, in the second – the work of Faust at court and the marriage with the ancient heroine Helen.
Read the summary of Goethe’s “Faust” by chapters. It will be useful for students and students to prepare for proof-reading work on literature, as well as for acquaintance with the plot of the work.
Main characters
Heinrich Faust is a doctor, disappointed in life and science scientist. I made a deal with Mephistopheles.
Mephistopheles
Gretchen – Beloved of Faust. An innocent girl who, due to her love for Henry, accidentally killed her mother, and then, after losing her mind, drowned her daughter. She died in prison.
Other characters
Wagner is a disciple of Faust, who created the Homunculus.
Elena is an ancient Greek heroine, the beloved of Faust, from whom her son Euphorion was born. Their marriage is a symbol of the combination of the ancient and romantic beginnings.
Euphorion – Son of Faust and Helena, endowed with the features of a romantic, Byronic hero.
Marta is Margarita’s neighbor, widow.
Valentine is a soldier, Brother Gretchen, whom Faust killed.
Theater Director, Poet
Homunculus
Summary
Dedication
In the opening tragedy of “Dedication” to the author are the “changeable shadows” of the past, he remembers his friends of youth, thanks for being close.
Theatrical introduction
The theater director
“In this plaque
you can, as in the universe,
After passing all the tiers in a row,
Descend from heaven through the earth to hell.”
Prologue in the sky
To the Lord at the reception is Mephistopheles. The devil argues that “illuminated by God’s spark” people continue to live like animals. The Lord asks if he knows Faust. Mephistopheles recalls that Faust is a scientist who “rushes into battle, and loves to take obstacles” while serving God. The devil proposes to argue that he will “beat off” Lord Faust, subjecting him to all kinds of temptations, which he receives consent for. God is sure that the instinct of a scientist will lead him out of the impasse.
Part one
Night
A tight Gothic room. Faust sits without a dream behind a book. The doctor reflects:
“I mastered theology by theology, I
pored over philosophy, I learned
jurisprudence,
And studied medicine
, but I
was still a fool at all.”
“And to magic, I turned,
So that the spirit at my call appeared
And the mystery of being discovered.”
Reflections doctor interrupted unexpectedly entered the room of his student Wagner. During the conversation with the disciple, Faust explains: people do not really know anything about antiquity. Doctors are indignant at Wagner’s presumptuous, stupid thoughts that a person has already grown to know all the secrets of the universe.
When Wagner left, the doctor reflects on the fact that he considered himself equal to God, but this is not so: “I’m a blind worm, I’m the stepchild of nature.” Faust understands that his life “goes to the dust” and is going to commit suicide by drinking poison. However, at the moment when he brings a glass with poison to his lips, there is a bell ringing and choral singing – the angels sing about the Resurrection of Christ. Faust refuses his intention.
At the gate
Crowds of people walking, including Wagner and Faust. The old peasant thanks the doctor and his late father for helping to “plague the plague” in the city. However, Faust is ashamed of her father, who during his medical practice for the sake of experiments gave people poison – curing some, he killed others. A black poodle runs up to the doctor and Wagner. It seems to Faust that behind the dog “there is a flame in the land of glades.”
Working Room Faust
Faustus took the poodle to himself. The doctor sits down for the translation into German of the New Testament. Reflecting on the first phrase of the scripture, Faust comes to the conclusion that it translates not as “In the beginning was the Word,” but “In the beginning was the Deed.” The poodle begins to indulge and, distracted from work, the doctor sees how the dog turns into Mephistopheles. The devil is to Faust in the clothes of a wandering student. The doctor asks who he is, what Mephistopheles answers:
“Part of the strength of that without a number
Do good, all wishing evil.”
Mephistopheles chuckles at human weaknesses, as if knowing what thoughts torment Faust. Soon the Devil is about to leave, but he is not allowed a pentagram drawn by Faust. The devil with the help of spirits lulls the doctor and, while he sleeps, disappears.
The second time Mephistopheles came to Faust in rich clothes: in a camisole made of Karamzin, with a cape on his shoulders and a cock’s feather on his hat. The devil persuades the doctor to leave the cabinet and go with him:
“You will be comfortable with me here,
I will fulfill any whim.”
Faust agrees and signs the contract with blood. They go on a journey, flying straight through the air on the Devil’s magic cloak.
Cellar of Auerbach in Leipzig
Mephistopheles and Faust join the company of merry revelers. The devil treats drinkers with wine. One of the revelers spills a drink on the ground and the wine lights up. The man exclaims that this is an infernal flame. Those present rush to the Devil with knives, but he brings “dope” to them – people start to think that they are in a beautiful land. At this time, Mephistopheles and Faust disappear.
Kitchen witches
Faust and Mephistopheles await the witch. Faust complains to Mephistopheles that sad thoughts torment him. The Devil replies that from any reflections he can be distracted by a simple means-the conduct of a normal economy. However, Faust is not ready to “live without scope.” At the request of the Devil, the witch prepares Faust for the potion, after which the doctor’s body “recovers heat,” and the lost youth returns to him.
Street
Faust, seeing Margarita on the street, is struck by her beauty. The doctor asks Mephistopheles to bring him with her. The devil replies that he just overheard her confession – she is innocent, like a little child, so the evil spirit has no power over her. Faust puts the condition: either Mephistopheles is satisfied with their date today, or he will terminate their contract.
Evening
Margarita reflects that she would have given a lot to find out who he was, the man who met her. While the girl leaves her room, Faust and Mephistopheles leave her a gift – a box of jewels.
On a walk
Mother of Margarita carried the presented jewelry to the priest, because she realized that it was a gift of evil spirits. Faust manages to give Gretchen something else.
House neighbor
Margarita tells her neighbor Marta that she found herself in her second box with jewels. Neighbor advises not to say anything about the find of the mother, beginning to wear jewelry gradually.
By March, Mephistopheles comes and reports the fictitious death of her husband, who left nothing to his wife. Martha asks if it is possible to get a paper confirming the death of her husband. Mephistopheles replies that he will soon return with a friend to testify about his death, and asks Margarita to stay, too, since his friend is an “excellent fellow”.
Garden
Walking with Faust, Marguerite tells that she lives with her mother, her father and sister have died, and the brother serves in the army. The girl guesses on a camomile and receives the answer “Likes”. Faust recognizes Margarita in love.
Forest Cave
Faust is hiding from everyone. Mephistopheles tells the doctor that Margarita very much yearns for him and is afraid that Henry has cooled to it. The devil is surprised that Faust so simply decided to back away from the girl.
Martha’s garden
Margarita shares with Faust that she really does not like Mephistopheles. It seems to the girl that he can betray them. Faust, notes the innocence of Margarita, before which the Devil is powerless: “Oh, sensitivity of angelic conjectures!”.
Faust gives Margarita a vial of sleeping pills, so that she can put her mother to sleep, and they succeeded the next time alone for a longer time.
Night. Street in front of the Gretchen House
Valentine, brother Gretchen, decides to kill the girl’s beloved. The young man is distressed by the fact that she brought shame on herself without a marriage. Seeing Faust, Valentine calls him to the duel. The doctor is killing the young man. While they were not noticed, Mephistopheles and Faust hide, leave the city. Before his death, Valentine instructs Marguerite, saying that the girl should cherish her honor.
Cathedral
Gretchen is present in the church service. Behind the girl, the evil spirit whispers to her the thought that Gretchen is guilty of the death of his mother and brother. In addition, everyone knows that a girl carries a child under her heart. Unable to persevere obsessive thoughts, Gretchen faints.
Walpurgis Night
Faust and Mephistopheles observe the witches and wizards’ coven. Walking along the fires, they meet the general, the minister, the rich businessman, the writer, the witch-junkie, Lilith, Medusa and others. Suddenly, one of the shadows reminds of Faust Marguerite, the doctor imagined that the girl was beheaded.
It’s a nasty day. Field
Mephistopheles tells Faust that Gretchen was begging for a long time and now went to jail. The doctor is in despair, he reproaches the Devil for what happened and demands that he save the girl. Mephistopheles notices that it is not he, but Faust himself ruined Margarita. However, after thinking, agrees to help – the Devil will lull the caretaker, and then take them away. To acquire the same keys and bring Margarita out of the dungeon will have to Faust himself.
Jail
Faust enters the dungeon, where Margarita sits, singing strange songs. She lost her mind. Having accepted the doctor for the executioner, the girl asks to restrain punishment until morning. Faust explains that before her her lover and they need to hurry. The girl is glad, but time, telling him that he has cooled to her arms. Margarita tells how she put her mother to death and drowned her daughter in the pond. The girl is delirious, asks Faust to dig up graves for her, her mother and brother. Before his death, Margaret asks for God’s salvation. Mephistopheles says that she is condemned to torment, but then a voice comes from above: “Saved!”. The girl is dying.
Part two
Act One
The Imperial Palace. Masquerade
Mephistopheles appears in the guise of a clown before the emperor. In the throne room, the State Council begins. The Chancellor says that the country is in decline, the state does not have enough money.
Outdoor garden
The devil helped the state solve the problem of lack of money by turning the scam. Mephistopheles put in circulation securities, pledged to gold in the bowels of the earth. The treasure will once be found and cover all costs, but while fooled people pay shares.
The Dark Gallery
Faust, who appeared at the court as a magician, tells Mephistopheles that he promised the emperor to show the ancient heroes of Paris and Elena. The doctor asks the Devil to help him. Mephistopheles gives Faust a key-guide, which will help the doctor to penetrate into the world of pagan gods and heroes.
Knight’s Hall
The courtiers await the appearance of Paris and Helena. When the ancient Greek heroine appears, the ladies begin to discuss her flaws, but Faust is fascinated by the girl. Before the audience, the scene of “Elena’s abduction” by Paris is played out. Having lost his composure, Faust tries to save and hold the girl, but the spirits of the heroes suddenly evaporate.
Act of the second
Gothic room
Faust lies in his old room without movement. Student Famulus tells Mephistopheles that the now well-known scientist Wagner is still waiting for the return of his teacher Faust, and is now on the verge of a grand opening.
Laboratory in the medieval spirit
To Wagner, located at the ungainly devices, is Mephistopheles. The scientist tells the guest that he wants to create a person, because, in his opinion, “the former children are an attachment for us – absurdity, put in the archive.” Wagner creates the Homunculus.
Homunculus advises Mephistopheles to take Faust to the celebration of Walpurgis Night, and then flies with the Doctor and the Devil, leaving Wagner.
Classical Walpurgis Night
Mephistopheles lowers Faust to the ground, and he finally comes to his senses. The doctor goes in search of Elena.
Act Three
Before Menelaus Palace in Sparta
On the shore of Sparta, Elena learns from the foreman of the Forquiade that King Menelaus sent her here as a sacrifice for the sacrifice. The clavier helps the heroine escape from death, helping to escape to a nearby castle.
Inner courtyard of the castle
Elena is brought to the castle of Faust. He reports that the queen now owns everything in his castle. Faustus directs his troops against the one who is going to him with war, who wants to take revenge on Menelaus, while he and Elena are hiding in the underworld.
Soon, Faust and Elena have a son, Euphorion. The boy dreams of jumping so “inadvertently achieve heaven in one swoop.” Faust tries to shield his son from trouble, but he asks to leave him alone. Climbing the high cliff, Euphorion jumps from her and falls dead at the feet of her parents. The grieving Elena tells Faust: “I have an old song on me, That happiness with beauty does not get along” and, with the words “take me, about Persephone, with the boy!” embraces Faust. The body of the woman disappears, and in the hands of the man, only her dress and veil remain. The clothes of Helen turn into clouds and take Faust away.
Act Four
Mountain landscape
Faust is coming to the rocky crest, which was formerly the bottom of the underworld. A man thinks about the fact that with the memories of love, all of his purity and “the essence is the best.” Soon on the seven-mile boots, Mephistopheles arrives at the rock. Faust tells Mephistopheles that his greatest desire is to build a dam at sea and
“Any price at the bottom of a
piece of land to win.”
Faust asks for help from Mephistopheles. Unexpectedly, the sounds of war are heard. The devil explains that the emperor, whom they previously helped, fell into a difficult situation after disclosing fraud with securities. Mephistopheles advises Faust to help the monarch return to the throne, for which he will be able to receive the shore of the sea as a reward. The Doctor and the Devil help the emperor to achieve a brilliant victory.
Act 5
Open area
To the elderly, a loving married couple, Buckyde and Philemon, a wanderer visits. Once the old people helped him, for which he is very grateful to them. Baucis and Philemon live by the sea, next to it there is a bell tower and a linden grove stretches.
Palace
The aged Faust is indignant – Baucis and Philemon do not agree to leave the seashore so that he can realize his idea. Their house is located exactly in the place that now belongs to the doctor. Mephistopheles promises to deal with the old.
Deep night
House of Baucis and Philemon, and with it a lime grove and bell tower, were burned. Mephistopheles told Faust that they were trying to drive the elderly out of the house, but they died from fright, and the guest, resisting, was killed by servants. The house also caught fire accidentally from a spark. Faust curses Mephistopheles and servants for deafness to his words, as he wished for a fair exchange, not for violence and robbery.
Great courtyard in front of the palace
Mephistopheles orders lemurs to dig a grave for Faust. The blinded Faust hears the sound of shovels and decides that these workers are putting into practice his dream:
“They put the border to the fury of the surf
And, as if reconciling the earth with themselves,
They raise, the shaft and mounds are fastened.”
Faust orders Mephistopheles to “recruit workers without an account”, constantly reporting to him on the progress of the work. The doctor reflects on the fact that he would like to see the days when the free people are working on free land, then he could exclaim: “Moment, how wonderful you are, wait!”. With the words: “And this anticipation anticipates, I am experiencing the highest moment now,” Faust dies.
Position in the coffin
Mephistopheles expects when the spirit of Faust leaves the body, and he can submit to them their contract, reinforced with blood. However, angels appear and, having cast demons from the grave of the doctor, take the immortal essence of Faust into the sky.
Conclusion
Tragedy I. In Goethe “Faust” is a philosophical work in which the author reflects on the eternal theme of confrontation in the world and the man of good and evil, reveals the questions of man’s knowledge of the mysteries of the world, self-knowledge, touches on important issues of power, love, honor, justice at all times and many others. Nowadays Faust is considered one of the tops of German classical poetry. The tragedy is included in the repertoire of the leading theaters of the world, has been screened many times.
We recommend not only to read a brief retelling of “Faust”, but also to read the great tragedy in its full version.
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