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Johan Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust really confused me. It took me awhile to try and figure out bits and pieces of what I was trying to read. For some reason I thought that Faust was in prison because of the way he described his surrounding as a “narrow cell”. I understand that Faust wanted to make a pact with the devil, so my interpretation of being a jail would make sense to me. If he was in there for a life sentence, why would he have anything else to live for with that negative outlook and his loss of hope? Or maybe he just feels like he’s trapped in bars. I don’t really know. I had a tough time reading this entire piece. I was confused by the poodle that he spoke of and I couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination. I couldn’t keep up with the poodle changing into the next figure of his imagination. Then I realized that it was really a devilish figure. The devil figure that he wanted to sign a pact with. I don’t understand why that was though. I don’t understand what made the devil visit him and not someone else. I thought it was weird that Mephistopheles spoke of the laws of hell. Our perception of heaven we all think there are rules to abide by during life in order to reach heaven after death. But it seemed like there were dumb rules in hell like the devil had to leave the same way he entered. That made no sense to me. Honestly I feel like I don’t have too many productive things to say because I was really confused with this reading.
Going off of what Courtney said previously, I was also confused with reading Faust. However, after I sat down for awhile and really thought about it, I guess I was able to appreciate it more. The very beginning, when there is an exchange between the Lord and Mephistopheles really intrigued me. Just the contrast of what they were saying about similar things was striking. The angels and other holy figures in heaven regarded all the Lord’s creations as beautiful and magical, while Mephistopheles could only see the misery in these things. Later, when they speak of someone who we later discover is Faust, the Lord describes him as one of his servants, while Mephistopheles almost sees a challenge in getting the tides to turn in the other direction. Also, around lines 335-355, when the Lord and Mephistopheles are having their final exchange, it is intriguing to hear what Mephistopheles has to say about the Lord’s speech. It is almost if he is scheming already. I also agree with Courtney in that the poodle thing was confusing. I am still trying to put that together. Anyways, with Faust talking about his “narrow cell”, it is apparent to me that he is unhappy in his life. That alone is enough to call Mephistopheles, who is bound and determined to make him realize that the Lord Faust so loves and believes in has made him unhappy, even though this may not be the case. Therefore, the cunning Mephistopheles promises to show Faust happiness, on the condition that he gets Faust’s soul. The whole part about the laws of hell was interesting too, because one usually thinks of the laws of heaven, like Courtney mentioned.
This story was definitely confusing to say the least. I don’t like how the author words everything so differently. Why not come out and say what’s actually going on? It just really confuses me. Eventually I found out what is going on. It starts out with a wager between the devil, Mephistopheles and The Lord. Mephistopheles believes that man is corrupt and that it’s easy to see the evil in them. He bets that he can turn one of The Lord’s servants (Faust) over to evil, while The Lord believes in Faust and that he will stay faithful to him. Later, Mephistopheles meets Faust and learns that Faust is fed up with living and wishes he could just end it. He makes a bet with him, saying that he could make him enjoy life once again. If he wins, Faust will be his eternal slave and vice versa. As Faust gets ready for their adventure, a student comes into his study. Mephistopheles pretends to be a professor and they discuss the students’ goals in life. Eventually, he tricks the student into going more freely with life. The student leaves and goes to pursue a care free life with no more worries of his studies. I believe this is foreshadowing, stating that the same will become of Faust and that he will lose the bet. If he could trick one person into leaving their life long studies to enjoy more time of leisure, why couldn’t he do it again?
Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying this read. It was quick and the interactions between all the characters were pretty interesting. Sure, it was confusing at times, but for the most part it wasn't bad. The best part to me was the beginning scene that portrayed the Lord and the Devil. You usually don't read about the kings of heaven and hell interacting in such a civil manner. Also, I thought it was interesting that God was so willing to give up one of his servants for the sake of a petty bet. He basically tells the devil that if he can win Faust over, he can have him. Shouldn't god care about his servants? That seemed unorthodox. Anyways. I liked when Mephistopheles said, "From time to time its good to see the Old Man, I must be careful not to break with him. How decent of so great a personage to be so human with the devil". Like I've mentioned, it seems strange to me that the Devil and God don't hate each other. This line depicts that the devil has not only resigned to be civil with God, but that he has some level of respect for him. It's intriguing. I also found Faust himself to be an interesting character. He had some sharp insight into the Devil's tactics when he said, "You offer food which does not satisfy, red gold which moves unsteadily..." that whole part. I admired Faust for saying these things, but ultimately he fell into the Devil's trap so I lost that respect.
Surprisingly I actually enjoyed reading Jon Wolfgang von Goethe’s story “Faust.” Although it was hard to read at times, it was still a much easier read than our previous pieces and a lot easier to comprehend. I found the whole story to be very interesting, the way that he had the lord making bets with the devil, and portraying them as two beings that actually get along is a very different perspective on their relationship. In the modern age it may actually be a scenario that offends the religious to even think about. The story starts off with a conversation between the lord and Mephistopheles, whom is the devil. They speak of Faust and his relationship with the Lord. Mephistopheles bets the Lord that he can turn Faust against him, and get him to make a pact with the devil. The thing that I found strange was that the Lord basically just said that if you can win him over, then you can have him. In gospels now, that is something you just wouldn’t see. The Lord is the one fighting for you and keeping you from evil, not just letting the devil take you if he can. The remainder of the story is mostly just about Mephistopheles trying to get Faust to make a pact with him, promising him a life of happiness again, and if he fails, he will become Faust’s servant and vise versa. Although in the end Faust does end up falling into the devils trap, he was still very knowledgeable about what he was getting himself into, as if he knew the devils tricks. I still believe that in the end the devil will eventually trick Faust and he will just end up his servant, and that he won’t ever achieve the happiness he was promised.
This was an interesting play. I found it a bit odd that the dog or poodle has a presence that takes over. I was very confused reading this and understanding that summary. A lot of things intrigue me as well like what is Faust doing in his study and why he seems to have depression. Could it be because of his attempted suicide? I found it confusing to see what the purpose of Mephistopheles and if it is for Faust’s good or bad? There is some talk of the devil and I’m not sure that Mephistopheles is the symbol of the devil or not. Faust might believe this is all a dream. Interestingly enough it reminds me of Scrooge and the similarities of how this apparition appears to him and he questions if it is a dream or not. However, Faust invites Mephistopheles to visit him again but he cannot leave because Faust refuses Mephistopheles to be free. When Faust is in his study again the next day alone, Mephistopheles enters again in a different form, a nobleman. He then offers Faust a life of wealth and pleasure but Faust denies his offer. There is some Christianity in this play as Faust is picked on about his failing in committing suicide on the night before Easter and is taunted about his denying of the Christian values and such. I am still confused on the plot and what happens and the deeper connections involved such as Mephistopheles and his purpose all together in joining Faust in his study.
Johan Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust really confused me. It took me awhile to try and figure out bits and pieces of what I was trying to read. For some reason I thought that Faust was in prison because of the way he described his surrounding as a “narrow cell”. I understand that Faust wanted to make a pact with the devil, so my interpretation of being a jail would make sense to me. If he was in there for a life sentence, why would he have anything else to live for with that negative outlook and his loss of hope? Or maybe he just feels like he’s trapped in bars. I don’t really know. I had a tough time reading this entire piece. I was confused by the poodle that he spoke of and I couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination. I couldn’t keep up with the poodle changing into the next figure of his imagination. Then I realized that it was really a devilish figure. The devil figure that he wanted to sign a pact with. I don’t understand why that was though. I don’t understand what made the devil visit him and not someone else. I thought it was weird that Mephistopheles spoke of the laws of hell. Our perception of heaven we all think there are rules to abide by during life in order to reach heaven after death. But it seemed like there were dumb rules in hell like the devil had to leave the same way he entered. That made no sense to me. Honestly I feel like I don’t have too many productive things to say because I was really confused with this reading.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of what Courtney said previously, I was also confused with reading Faust. However, after I sat down for awhile and really thought about it, I guess I was able to appreciate it more. The very beginning, when there is an exchange between the Lord and Mephistopheles really intrigued me. Just the contrast of what they were saying about similar things was striking. The angels and other holy figures in heaven regarded all the Lord’s creations as beautiful and magical, while Mephistopheles could only see the misery in these things. Later, when they speak of someone who we later discover is Faust, the Lord describes him as one of his servants, while Mephistopheles almost sees a challenge in getting the tides to turn in the other direction. Also, around lines 335-355, when the Lord and Mephistopheles are having their final exchange, it is intriguing to hear what Mephistopheles has to say about the Lord’s speech. It is almost if he is scheming already. I also agree with Courtney in that the poodle thing was confusing. I am still trying to put that together. Anyways, with Faust talking about his “narrow cell”, it is apparent to me that he is unhappy in his life. That alone is enough to call Mephistopheles, who is bound and determined to make him realize that the Lord Faust so loves and believes in has made him unhappy, even though this may not be the case. Therefore, the cunning Mephistopheles promises to show Faust happiness, on the condition that he gets Faust’s soul. The whole part about the laws of hell was interesting too, because one usually thinks of the laws of heaven, like Courtney mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThis story was definitely confusing to say the least. I don’t like how the author words everything so differently. Why not come out and say what’s actually going on? It just really confuses me. Eventually I found out what is going on. It starts out with a wager between the devil, Mephistopheles and The Lord. Mephistopheles believes that man is corrupt and that it’s easy to see the evil in them. He bets that he can turn one of The Lord’s servants (Faust) over to evil, while The Lord believes in Faust and that he will stay faithful to him. Later, Mephistopheles meets Faust and learns that Faust is fed up with living and wishes he could just end it. He makes a bet with him, saying that he could make him enjoy life once again. If he wins, Faust will be his eternal slave and vice versa. As Faust gets ready for their adventure, a student comes into his study. Mephistopheles pretends to be a professor and they discuss the students’ goals in life. Eventually, he tricks the student into going more freely with life. The student leaves and goes to pursue a care free life with no more worries of his studies. I believe this is foreshadowing, stating that the same will become of Faust and that he will lose the bet. If he could trick one person into leaving their life long studies to enjoy more time of leisure, why couldn’t he do it again?
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I found myself enjoying this read. It was quick and the interactions between all the characters were pretty interesting. Sure, it was confusing at times, but for the most part it wasn't bad. The best part to me was the beginning scene that portrayed the Lord and the Devil. You usually don't read about the kings of heaven and hell interacting in such a civil manner. Also, I thought it was interesting that God was so willing to give up one of his servants for the sake of a petty bet. He basically tells the devil that if he can win Faust over, he can have him. Shouldn't god care about his servants? That seemed unorthodox. Anyways. I liked when Mephistopheles said, "From time to time its good to see the Old Man, I must be careful not to break with him. How decent of so great a personage to be so human with the devil". Like I've mentioned, it seems strange to me that the Devil and God don't hate each other. This line depicts that the devil has not only resigned to be civil with God, but that he has some level of respect for him. It's intriguing. I also found Faust himself to be an interesting character. He had some sharp insight into the Devil's tactics when he said, "You offer food which does not satisfy, red gold which moves unsteadily..." that whole part. I admired Faust for saying these things, but ultimately he fell into the Devil's trap so I lost that respect.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly I actually enjoyed reading Jon Wolfgang von Goethe’s story “Faust.” Although it was hard to read at times, it was still a much easier read than our previous pieces and a lot easier to comprehend. I found the whole story to be very interesting, the way that he had the lord making bets with the devil, and portraying them as two beings that actually get along is a very different perspective on their relationship. In the modern age it may actually be a scenario that offends the religious to even think about. The story starts off with a conversation between the lord and Mephistopheles, whom is the devil. They speak of Faust and his relationship with the Lord. Mephistopheles bets the Lord that he can turn Faust against him, and get him to make a pact with the devil. The thing that I found strange was that the Lord basically just said that if you can win him over, then you can have him. In gospels now, that is something you just wouldn’t see. The Lord is the one fighting for you and keeping you from evil, not just letting the devil take you if he can. The remainder of the story is mostly just about Mephistopheles trying to get Faust to make a pact with him, promising him a life of happiness again, and if he fails, he will become Faust’s servant and vise versa. Although in the end Faust does end up falling into the devils trap, he was still very knowledgeable about what he was getting himself into, as if he knew the devils tricks. I still believe that in the end the devil will eventually trick Faust and he will just end up his servant, and that he won’t ever achieve the happiness he was promised.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting play. I found it a bit odd that the dog or poodle has a presence that takes over. I was very confused reading this and understanding that summary. A lot of things intrigue me as well like what is Faust doing in his study and why he seems to have depression. Could it be because of his attempted suicide? I found it confusing to see what the purpose of Mephistopheles and if it is for Faust’s good or bad? There is some talk of the devil and I’m not sure that Mephistopheles is the symbol of the devil or not. Faust might believe this is all a dream. Interestingly enough it reminds me of Scrooge and the similarities of how this apparition appears to him and he questions if it is a dream or not. However, Faust invites Mephistopheles to visit him again but he cannot leave because Faust refuses Mephistopheles to be free. When Faust is in his study again the next day alone, Mephistopheles enters again in a different form, a nobleman. He then offers Faust a life of wealth and pleasure but Faust denies his offer. There is some Christianity in this play as Faust is picked on about his failing in committing suicide on the night before Easter and is taunted about his denying of the Christian values and such. I am still confused on the plot and what happens and the deeper connections involved such as Mephistopheles and his purpose all together in joining Faust in his study.
ReplyDelete