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Faust: His Salvation

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Germany in 1749, during the middle of the enlightenment. He studied at various German universities for years early in his life, as well as taking an interest in alchemy, theology, and philosophy, all of which play an important role in the creation of his version of Faust. During this time he began to become a writer of the “Sturm und Drang” or “Storm and Stress” literary a movement. This literary movement, which appeared during the second half of the enlightenment, is often considered to be a precursor to Romanticism. Although Goethe began his writing during the “Sturm und Drang” movement, he was highly influenced by the enlightenment, and is often considered to be a writer of romanticism. Goethe devoted much of his life to writing Faust, composing it in two parts, and finishing it only shortly before his death. Part II of Faust was not published until after Goethe’s and a popular Opera had already been produced based entirely on the first half of the story. For this reason Part II is often over looked ,and critics often focus on the Gretchen and Faust relationship as well as the bet with the devil.

Faust was originally a German folk story about a scholar and doctor who was su

In addition Faust is involved in many activities that can be considered to be amoral. His great desire to be with Gretchen is one of the first of a series of actions that Faust commits that seem to send him further from virtue and closer to Mephisto’s control. This however is not entirely Faust’s fault, because he was under the influence of Mephisto’s potion when he began his pursuit of Gretchen. Under Mephisto’s potion he is unable to think clearly and is controlled by his passion rather than his own mind and thoughts. Faust ultimately becomes responsible for the imprisonment of Gretchen by influencing her actions, and after she is imprisoned, Faust moves on. This would seem to represent the loss of control by Faust and the power of Mephisto to bend Faust’s will. It symbolizes more that Faust is a reasonable person, and that only when influenced by Mephisto does he lack virtue. When viewed from this perspective, it foreshadows Faust’s return to virtue and salvation.

He reflects on his actions and feels sorrow and remorse. This is his saving grace. His feeling of remorse is what causes God to show him mercy. This remorse earns him a place in heaven. Many believe that this is not a justifiable reason for God’s forgiveness, that Faust’s feeling of remorse is not enough to redeem him after his horrible actions. However, this is often considered to be the only thing that can get a person into heaven. With the exception of those who live a truly virtuous life without ever sinning, this is actually the only way to be accepted to heaven according to the Christian religion. It is only those who truly repent, wether on their death bed or not, who will be saved. This is the idea behind a person receiving the “Last rights” which will wash away their sins and assure them a place in heaven. As a result, Faust did the only thing he needed to be forgiven, which was feel remorse and desire mercy. As a man who studied theology he must have known this, and so he was able to confidently place a bet with Mephisto assured that he would ultimately arrive in heaven. His salvation lied in his knowledge just as God’s trust in him was derived from HIS knowledge. In the end, Faust proved to be as virtuous as anyone. Besides, offer anyone the ability to do whatever they want and the security that they will spend eternity in heaven regardless of their actions and see what t

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