The tragedy of Goethe "Faust". Summary

Love for everything mystical in man is unlikely to ever fade. Even if you do not take into account the question of faith, the mysterious stories themselves are extremely interesting. There have been many such stories for the centuries-old existence of life on Earth, and one of them, written by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, is Faust. The brief content of this famous tragedy in general terms will acquaint you with the plot.

The work begins with a lyrical dedication, in which the poet remembers with gratitude all his friends, relatives and close people, even those who are no longer alive. Then comes the theatrical introduction, in which three - Comic actor, poet and theater director - are arguing about art. And, finally, we get to the very outset of the tragedy "Faust". The brief content of the stage entitled "Prologue in Heaven" tells how God and Mephistopheles argue about good and evil among people. God tries to convince his opponent that everything is fine and wonderful on earth, all people are pious and submissive. But Mephistopheles does not agree with this. God offers him a dispute over the soul of Faust - a learned husband and his zealous, undefiled slave. Mephistopheles agrees, he really wants to prove to the Lord that any, even the most holy soul, can succumb to temptations.

So, the bet is concluded, and Mephistopheles, descended from heaven to the ground, turns into a black poodle and fits after Faust, who was walking around the city with his assistant Wagner. Taking the dog to his house, the scientist starts his ordinary affairs, but suddenly the poodle began to "puff up like a bubble" and turned back into Mephistopheles. Faust (the summary does not allow revealing all the details) is at a loss, but the uninvited guest explains to him who he is and for what purpose he arrived. He begins in every possible way to seduce the Aesculapius with various joys of life, but he remains adamant. However, the crafty Mephistopheles promises him to show such pleasures that Faust simply captures the spirit. The scientist, convinced that nothing can surprise him, agrees to sign a treaty in which he undertakes to give Mephistopheles his soul as soon as he asks him to stop the moment. Mephistopheles, according to this treaty, is obliged to serve the scientist in every possible way, to fulfill his every desire and to do everything that he says, until he utters the coveted words: "Stop, moment, you are fine!"

The contract is signed with blood. Further, the summary of Faust stops at the acquaintance of the scientist with Gretchen. Thanks to Mephistopheles, the Aesculapius became younger for as long as 30 years, and therefore the 15-year-old girl absolutely sincerely fell in love with him. Faust also flushed with a passion for her, but it was this love that led to a further tragedy. Gretchen, in order to freely run on dates with his beloved, puts his mother to sleep every night. But even this does not save the girl from shame: the city is full of rumors that reached the ears of her older brother.

Faustus (a summary, keep in mind, reveals only the main plot) pins Valentine, who rushed to him for the purpose of killing him for dishonoring his sister. But now his death is waiting for him, and he fled the city. Gretchen accidentally poisons his mother with a sleepy potion. Born from Faust's daughter, she drowns in the river to avoid human gossip. But people have known everything for a long time, and the girl, branded as a harlot and a murderer, goes to prison, where she goes insane. Faust finds her and frees her, but Gretchen does not want to run away with him. She can not forgive herself for her deed and prefers to die in torment, than to live with such a spiritual burden. For such a decision, God forgives her and takes her soul to her heaven.

In the last chapter Faust (the summary is not able to fully convey all emotions) again becomes an old man and feels that he will soon die. Besides, he was blind. But even at such an hour he wants to build a dam that would separate a piece of land from the sea where he would create a happy, prosperous state. He clearly imagines this country and, after exclaiming a fatal phrase, immediately dies. But Mephistopheles does not manage to take his soul: angels flew from heaven and won it from the demons.