Goethe's tragedy Faust. Summary

The love of everything mystical in man is unlikelyever fade away. Even if you do not take into account the question of faith, the mysterious stories themselves are extremely interesting. There are quite a few such stories for the centuries-long existence of life on Earth, and one of them, written by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, is Faust. A summary of this famous tragedy will introduce you to the plot.

The piece begins with a lyrical dedication,in which the poet recalls with gratitude all his friends, relatives and close people, even those who are no longer alive. Next comes the theatrical introduction, in which the three - the Comic Actor, the Poet and the Director of the Theater - are arguing about art. And finally, we get to the very end of the tragedy "Faust". The summary of the scene entitled “The Prologue in Heaven” tells how God and Mephistopheles argue about good and evil among people. God is trying to convince his opponent that everything on earth is beautiful and wonderful, all people are pious and submissive. But Mephistopheles does not agree with this. God offers him an argument for the soul of Faust - a learned husband and his earnest, immaculate slave. Mephistopheles agrees, he really wants to prove to the Lord that anyone, even the most holy soul, is capable of succumbing to temptations.

So, the betting was made, and Mephistopheles, having gone downfrom heaven to earth, turns into a black poodle and is tied behind Faust, who was walking through the city with his assistant Wagner. Having taken the dog to his home, the scientist proceeds with his everyday affairs, but suddenly the poodle began to "get puffed up like a bubble" and turned back into Mephistopheles. Faust (the summary does not allow to reveal all the details) in perplexity, but the uninvited guest explains to him who he is and for what purpose he arrived. He begins in every way to seduce the doctor with the various joys of life, but he remains adamant. However, the cunning Mephistopheles promises him to show such pleasures that Faust will simply take a breath. The scientist, being sure that it is impossible to surprise him with anything, agrees to sign a contract in which he undertakes to give Mephistopheles his soul as soon as he asks him to stop the moment. Mephistopheles, according to this contract, is obliged to serve the scientist in every way, fulfill any of his wishes and do whatever he says until the very moment he utters the cherished words: “Stop, instant, you are beautiful!”

The contract is signed in blood.Further, a summary of "Faust" focuses on the acquaintance of the scientist with Gretchen. Thanks to Mephistopheles, the doctor became younger by as much as 30 years, and therefore the 15-year-old girl absolutely sincerely fell in love with him. Faust also burned with passion for her, but it was this love that led to further tragedy. Gretchen, in order to freely go on dates with his beloved, lulls his mother to sleep every night. But even this does not save the girl from shame: rumors circulate around the city that reached her elder brother's ears.

Faust (short, keep in mindreveals only the main plot) stabs Valentina, who rushed at him with the aim of killing him for dishonoring his sister. But now he himself is waiting for the death penalty, and he flees the city. Gretchen accidentally poisons his mother with a sleepy potion. Born from Faust, she drowns her daughter in the river in order to avoid gossip. But people have long been aware of everything, and the girl, branded as a harlot and a murderer, goes to prison, where she goes mad. Faust finds and releases her, but Gretchen does not want to run with him. She cannot forgive herself for her deed and prefers to die in torment than live with such a mental load. For such a decision, God forgives her and takes her soul to his heaven.

In the last chapter, Faust (a brief summary ofable to fully convey all emotions) becomes an old man again and feels that he will soon die. Besides, he's blind. But even at such an hour, he would like 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, exclaiming the fateful phrase, immediately dies. But Mephistopheles fails to take his soul: angels flew from heaven and conquered it from demons.