Faust is a Germanic name meaning “fist” or “hand”. It can also refer to the Faustian legend, in which a character sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge or power. The word can also be used to describe someone who is excessively ambitious or who takes risks without regard for the consequences.
The term “Faustian bargain” has entered the language to describe any deal with the devil, and was popularized by Goethe’s work. The Faust legend has been retold in many literary and artistic works throughout history.
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, first published in 1808. The English translation by Bayard Taylor was first published in 1825 under the title Faust: A Dramatic Fragment. Faust is a tragic hero of a classic German legend who sells his soul to the devil for knowledge and power. The story has been adapted into numerous plays, operas, films and other works of popular culture. Moreover, the story has been called “the most famous work of literature ever”, and it has been translated into numerous languages and performed worldwide. It is also the most-translated work of German literature.
In the story, Faust represents the archetypal figure of the tortured artist or intellectual who sells his soul for success. The character has been interpreted by many as a symbol for the human condition and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Faust is a character from German folklore whose story has been the subject of numerous literary and artistic works. The Faust legend has been the basis for many literary works, most notably Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s two-part drama Faust. In Goethe’s rendition, Faust is a scholar who makes a pact with Mephistopheles who, in return for his soul, will give him whatever he wishes for. Faustus is the protagonist of the classic “Faust” tale by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He is an aging scholar who makes a pact with Mephistopheles to trade his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.
