In: Psychology
Based on your reading, what does the expression "Faustian bargain" mean? Explain how the story of "Faust" embodies the idea of the Romantic Hero.
The expression "Faustian bargain" means a deal or pact in which an individual trades spiritual or morally immaterial qualities for the worldly, materialistic or sensual pleasures of the world as power and materialistic things of the world. As in the Goethe's Faust, the protagonist "Faust' trades his soul to the satan "Mephistopheles"in exchange of power and riches of the world. In other words it can mean to give up moral personal values and principles to seek the power and riches of the world.
Faust depicts all the characteristics of a protagonist of Romanticism. He gives importance to his emotions,is introspective, wants to have an honest relationship with the God, is a genius in his field, has inner struggles and passions. Faust also do not stick to the formal rules and values of his society, he exactly knows where he has fallen, he repents over his "Faustian deal" and ultimately saves his soul from eternal hell