About doctor faustus cliffsnotes study guides book. Based on the german legend of johann georg faust, a magician of the german renaissance who reportedly gained his mystical powers by selling his immortal soul to the devil, the faustian legend has forever come to symbolize the inherent peril in dealing with unscrupulous characters and supernatural forces. Faust has inspired artistic and cultural works for over four centuries. Faust is, for lack of a better term, a sort of poetic fantasy novel with supernatural elements. Faust, also called faustus, or doctor faustus, hero of one of the most durable legends in western folklore and literature, the story of a german necromancer or astrologer who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. Faust is the protagonist of a classic german legend, based on the historical johann georg. It is said to be buried beneath a thorn bush behind the chemnitz castle, on the road to the kuch forest. Faust is the protagonist of a classic germa n legen d, based on the historical johan n georg fau st c. The entries represent works that a reader has a reasonable chance of encountering rather than a complete catalog.
The faust legend gained traction at a time when the closed medieval world was being cleaved. Read chapter i of the faustlegend and goethes faust by h. Faust the legend of faust from the renaissance times. Marlowes rendition of the legend was popular in england and germany until the midseventeenth century, but eventually the faust story lost much of its appeal. The faust legend has been the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical. Faustus is a great story of hubris, temptation, and regret. Mikhail bulgakovs best known novel, the master and margarita 19281940 with margarita being modeled on. Explores dramatic and filmic adaptations of the faust legend from marlowes doctor faustus and goethes faust to lesser known works.
Remote work advice from the largest allremote company. Poetry, drama and prose fiction based on the faust legend. The wolfenbuttel manuscript faust book before 1587. It has also been told in so many forms over the centuries that it has had a lasting artistic impact on western culture, especially in literature and drama. The er udite fau st is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the devil at a crossroads, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. Faust s hellmaster, which teaches the art of controling spirits, even of making the devil subservient to oneself. The following lists cover various media to include items of historic interest, enduring works of high art, and recent representations in popular culture. That said, it is a story that everyone who loves books and theater should read. The tragical history of the life and death of doctor faustus, common. Faust, also called faustus or doctor faustus, hero of one of the most durable legends in western folklore and literature, the story of a german necromancer or. Finally, the faustbook ends with faustus awaiting the final hour of his life before he is carried off to eternal damnation by the agents of the underworld. Prelude on stage director, dramatist, comedian director you two, whove often stood by me, in times of need, when troubles breaking, say what success our undertaking 35. He graduated from west virginia u, school of medicine in. Michael faust, md is a pediatrics specialist in washington, pa and has been practicing for 22 years.