In: Psychology
Goethe’s Faust is driven by the decision of its central character to sell his soul to the devil and the consequences that arise. What is Faust’s motivation? What drives him to make this deal? What does he hope to gain? What ultimately are the consequences of his actions?
Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily.
(Answer) Faust has spent his life being a chemist and an alchemist. He has delved into all of the knowledge in his field and now has nothing more to explore. His otherwise buzzing mind is now drowning in despair and suicidal thoughts.
He wants some kind of indulgence or emotion that will lift up his soul and dissipate his despair. He looks for some sort of inspiration that he could perhaps experience and then live in happiness with the mere memory of that one good moment.
Which is why he makes a deal with the devil, who is willing to offer him that one moment that he so desires. Ultimately, he falls in love with Gretchen and conducts himself slyly and licentiously. They have an illegitimate child who is murdered by Gretchen herself. Faust even kills Valentine (Gretchen’s brother). Ultimately, Gretchen has lost her sanity and is in prison for murdering her child and Faust is a renegade after killing Valentine. The devil has delivered on his promise and given Faust emotions that will occupy his mind for as long as he lives.