Faust's Relationship With The Spirit Of Evil

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In Goethe's first part of Faust, Faust does not hold a relationship one would expect with the spirit of evil known as Mephistopheles. The play suggests that the devil should not be misconceived as being a pure source of evil, but rather it is mankind who holds some responsibility. Through their relationship, Faust reaches the capacity to have a greater satisfaction in life than ever which pushes him to have an understanding and connection with Nature he did not hold. Mephistopheles indirectly helps Faust form a better relationship with Nature. Faust calls out "Oh, endless Nature, where shall I embrace you" (line 455) because he seeks this connection with life. When he meets the Earth Spirit, he is afraid to face it and says "Alas this sigh's …show more content…

He says "To dizzying, painful joy I dedicate myself" (line 1766). Faust displays how highly he regards the knowledge of life that he exchanges it for his life. He believes that through the pain the devil shall cause him "my mind shall grasp the heights and depths...thus I'll expand myself" (line 1774). This reveals that Faust agrees to this wager with the devil because he believes Mephistopheles will also cause him suffering which will allow him to recognize that he is alive. Through this pain he concludes this will allow him to become a better poet. Upon his realization of Gretchen's fate, Faust blames Mephistopheles shouting "You dog! You repulsive monster! (line ). However, Mephistopheles puts this in perspective for Faust by questioning "Who was it who ruined her? I, or you" (line ). Faust blames the devil at once rather than himself because it would seem to be the more logical choice since Mephistopheles is the devil. This nonetheless illustrates the point that their relationship displays that humanity is capable of destruction. The devil never forced Faust to ruin Gretchen. Additionally, during his conversation with the Lord the devil scorns mankind for using Reason saying, "He calls it Reason, and it has only increased his power to be beastlier than a beast" (line 285). This is a principle that Faust went by and why he caused …show more content…

He allows Faust to find more meaning to life which he at the start of the play described as unsatisfying. It is Faust, who is on the verge of taking his life he finds to be pointless yet in the final scene he has formed a meaningful opinion on life. This can be seen while he is attempting to save Gretchen and wants her to follow her "into freedom" (line 4537). He no longer sees just a "paper world". The devil has led him to live satisfying moments with Gretchen. He experiences emotion and love because of him for the first time. Furthermore, Mephistopheles ironically serves as passage to heaven for Faust. When Mephistopheles visits heaven the Lord tell him "you may feel free to come and call. You are a type I never learned to hate" (line 336). This demonstrates that although he is the devil, Mephistopheles is not a typical force of evil. Rather, he symbolizes that Faust too can enter heaven even though he has made a wager with the devil. The relationship between Faust and Mephistopheles changes throughout the play because initially, Faust sees the devil as someone who will only cause him pain in exchange for knowledge. However, Faust is the only one who causes this pain which is seen in his destruction of Gretchen. Regardless, Faust learns what it means to be guided by emotion and it is this greater knowledge that Mephistopheles teaches

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