FAUST’S TRAGEDY
Q1
Who is the antihero of Faust: Faust or Mephistopheles? Alternatively, would you select another character for that role? Defend your answer with specific reasons and references to the text. Additionally, how does the modern anti-hero compare and contrast to earlier examples, from Greece or the medieval/early modern periods?
Faust plays the character of an antihero. His actions depicts a character unsure of himself and aspires to change to be someone else. In the text, Faust describes himself as miserable, and despairing, and imprisoned. As the main character of the play, Faust attempts to cut a deal with the devil in order acquire magical powers to help him rise above his miserable state. He continues and describes his condition with such pity as having ‘sunk into a depth of wretchedness like this…’.On the other hand, Faust his actions depict an evil minded fellow for instance in the part he fights and kills Gretchen’s brother. He tries to assist Gretchen from prison showing a direct opposite of character again.
Q2
Gretchen is the stock character of the virtuous woman seduced: “the sinless sinner.” To what extent does the play offer hope for Gretchen? Why is she redeemed?
What saves her is that even in her madness (which has been intensified in jail–horrible, dirty, confined conditions during that time) she still seeks redemption. It is crucial here that she reject Faust’s offer to leave and ask God to save her–that is why she is redeemed in that moment!
Q3
Goethe did not intend to send Faust to hell at all. Why not? Why is Faust redeemed? Explain whether or not you would send Faust to hell for his behavior. Take into account both God’s agreement with Mephistopheles and Faust’s bargain with Mephistopheles. Are the terms of the agreement(s) Met or broken?
Faust fails to go to hell because of his great attempt to find redemption and a change of heart. He has tried to seek out for further knowledge and rise above the common know how of typical men. With this he is given the opportunity he so yearns for to transcend to the world of the living. His attempt to confront questions between the good and the bad, evil and righteous and sexuality and morality earns him the benefit of doubt to for a chance in heaven. Faust ought to go to hell. Despite his yearning for knowledge, his great obsession at questioning good and bad is in direct contrast with his actions. He portrays a pretender who does one thing different from what he says. The terms were, he learns the difference between the good and the bad on his own and not try to blackmail his way. The terms come to fulfillment at the end of the episode.
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