In "Faust I" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the iconic story of selling one's soul to the devil is explored through a modern verse translation that is highly readable. Goethe weaves original truths and thought-provoking observations about society, learning, and religion into a very sensual work. The plot revolves around Faust's despair and desire for knowledge, leading him to make a pact with Mephistopheles to experience and understand more, ultimately delving into themes of wisdom and eternal truths.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Faust I include themes of suicide, murder, mental illness, and the consequences of desire, particularly in the portrayal of Gretchen's tragedy.
From The Publisher:
Goethe's masterpiece and perhaps the greatest work in German literature, Faust has made the legendary German alchemist one of the central myths of the Western world. Here indeed is a monumental Faust, an audacious man boldly wagering with the devil, Mephistopheles, that no magic, sensuality, experience, or knowledge can lead him to a moment he would wish to last forever. Here, in Faust, Part I, the tremendous versatility of Goethe's genius creates some of the most beautiful passages in literature. Here too we experience Goethe's characteristic humor, the excitement and eroticism of the witches' Walpurgis Night, and the moving emotion of Gretchen's tragic fate.
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About the Author:
Before he was thirty, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had proven himself a master of the novel, drama, and lyric poetry. But even more impressive than his versatility was his unwillingness ever to settle into a single style or approach; whenever…
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