Faust

Faust tells the story of Dr. Heinrich Faust, a brilliant scholar who grows dissatisfied with the limits of human knowledge. Despairing that his lifelong studies have brought him neither happiness nor meaning, he contemplates suicide. At this moment, the demon Mephistopheles appears and offers Faust a pact: he will grant him unlimited pleasures and worldly experiences, but in return, Faust must surrender his soul if he ever finds a moment so perfect he wishes it to last forever. Faust agrees. With Mephistopheles' help, Faust pursues sensual and emotional fulfillment. He falls deeply in love with Gretchen, an innocent young woman. Their tragic romance leads to Gretchen's downfall—she becomes pregnant, faces social ruin, and ultimately kills her child in despair. Imprisoned and driven mad, she rejects Faust's attempt to rescue her, entrusting herself instead to divine mercy. In the second part of the drama, Faust continues his restless quest, seeking beauty, power, and the betterment of mankind. He engages in imperial politics, summons classical figures like Helen of Troy, and dreams of creating an ideal society. Near death, Faust envisions a world where humans live freely and productively. Although he dies, angels carry his soul to salvation, emphasizing that human striving, when driven by noble aspiration, can lead to redemption.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a German poet, playwright, and polymath. A central figure of German literature, he wrote Faust, poetry, novels, and scientific works. Influential in Romanticism and philosophy, his ideas on art, nature, and human striving shaped European thought for generations.