ok, after rereading I&II back to back this week, I kinda feel like sharing some thoughts: this is so masterfully done;the perfect sequel doesn't exi...
ok, after rereading I&II back to back this week, I kinda feel like sharing some thoughts: this is so masterfully done; even tho on the surface level both parts couldnt be more different from one another, the structure perfectly mirrors the first part, almost like a distorted mirror-image, or a musical composition with themes and variations; not only regarding the big story elements but also rly subtle small parts (just one of many examples; where Gretchen asks the 'Mater Dolorosa' in Faust 1: Ach neige / Du Schmerzensreiche / Dein Antlitz gnädig meiner Not! -- in Faust 2 she greets the 'Mater Gloriosa' with: Neige neige / Du Ohnegleiche / Du Strahlenreiche / Dein Antlitz gnädig meinem Glück! etc.) While in Faust I most of the more metaphysical and philosophical themes are delivered through dialogue, Faust II makes intensive use of allegories; ideas are acted out rather than stated. The ideas beeing so rich, that I'm almost tempted to call Goethes biography and his complete oeuvre merely a footnote to Faust (I+II).
So in the first part Faust wants to know what binds the world together (was die Welt / im innersten zusammenhält), tragedy ensues but after a short slumber Faust awakes again and continues his quest to strive for the highest beeing (Zum höchsten Dasein immerfort zu streben) throwing himself into a series of weird allegorical adventures with Mephisto, only to learn at the end that neither money, pleasure, power, success nor fame can give lasting happiness and that even tho beauty and art/poetry can (in this case even quite literally) transport us to 'Arcady', they are fragile and fleeting, and will only be able to glow for a short time before crashing to the ground and dying/vanishing (as we learn in the rather hilarious Helena/Euphorion passage), -- What binds the world is das Ewig-Weibliche (the embodiment of eternal, all-pervading Love)
Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Füßen Auf tiefem Abgrund lastend ruht, Wie tausend Bäche strahlend fließen Zum grausen Sturz des Schaums der Fluth, Wie strack, mit eignem kräftigen Triebe, Der Stamm sich in die Lüfte trägt: So ist es die allmächtige Liebe Die alles bildet, alles hegt.
Besides all the big themes etc. for me its also esp. the more subtle, tongue-in-cheek bits (for example; fear and hope chained to the elphant--the Plutus/Poetry bit--the king/bishop bit--Guilt/Lack&Need beeing denied entrance--Mephisto bringing the 3 companions of war to Fausts proto-industrial operation etc.pp.) that makes this such a pleasure to read and reread...more
So schaff' ich am sausenden Webstuhl der Zeit Und wirke der Gottheit lebendiges Kleid.
not quite sure if this is my 3rd or 4th read, but each read you dSo schaff' ich am sausenden Webstuhl der Zeit Und wirke der Gottheit lebendiges Kleid.
not quite sure if this is my 3rd or 4th read, but each read you discover something new - truly a masterpiece....more
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