Faust p. 39- 48 (Ms. Coppens's sample)

Summary (with significant quotations mixed in):

Prologue in Heaven (39-42):

The prologue takes place in heaven and begins with the three Archangles- Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael- speaking about the awesome forces, power, and beauty of nature to the Lord. Mephistopheles (the devil) enters and addresses the Lord with decorum and servitude, although it seems he may be doing so just to get what he wants. He then begins to talk about the "little god of earth" (40), or humans and perhaps Faust specifically, who don't have the gifts of the Lord but do have what they call "Reason" which they see as what separates them from animals and makes them superior. Mephisto sees humans as crickets who jump around and make a lot of noise, but eventually get stuck in the mud. The Lord sees that Mephisto is always displeased with humans, and Mephisto replies that he's just bored with them. The Lord then brings up Dr. Faust who has been refraining from earthly pleasures or "victuals" (41) because he is driven to "a more lofty plane" (41). The Lord says that Faust will soon lose his despair, but then Mephisto decides to make a wager or Faust's soul. The Lord agrees that Mephisto may attempt to win his soul, "so long as earth remains his mortal dwelling" (41). Mephisto is incredibly excited to have a living person to deal with- he's bored with the dead. The Lord believes that even in his hour of darkness Faust will "not forget the way of righteousness" (42). Mephisto would like celebration and fanfare if he wins, and the Lord agrees but also reminds him that he never had his "hate or scorn" (42). After the Lord departs, Mephisto acknowledges that it was decent of him to speak to the devil in such a gentlemanly way.

Night-Faust's Study (43-48):

Faust is alone in his gothic chamber surrounded by books, papers, and scientific instruments. The scene begins with his recounting how many subjects he has studied, but Faust still believes he has yet to find true wisdom. People consider him a genius, but all that Faust has truly learned is that "ignorance is our fate, / And this is what I hate" (43). He feels empty and poor, so he has turned to necromancy (the black arts or sorcery) to discover Nature's secret. He prays to the moon and wishes that his soul were free to stray tranquilly "On many a moonlit mountain way, / By cavernous haunts with ghostly shadows, / Or thread the silver of the meadows, / Released from learning's smoky stew, / To lave me in the moonlit dew" (44). However, Faust sees that his soul is stuck in the prison of his study where even heaven's moonlight is sad. Faust then describes his universe of books, papers,and jars that cage him in. Faust realizes that in his studies he has turned away from nature and has embraced dust and death. He then turns to a "secret book / from Nostradamus' very hand" (45) to help him speak to the spirits of Nature. Faust opens the book and studies the Sign of the Macrocosm (universe) and ponders the symbols and their power. He feels that the book brings him some power and joy as he glimpses the interwoven power of the celestial spheres of the universe. Despite a brief uplifting moment, Faust still feels mocked and unable to grasp the mysteries of the universe and Nature.

Faust then turns to a page with the Spirit of Earth and feels a connection as he ponders the sign and casts a spell to invoke the spirit. As he speaks he shudders and feels a "tumult of feeling" (47) and realizes he may lose his life in this quest. Then a dramatic, reddish flame shoots up and the Spirit of Earth appears. Faust is immediately afraid and the spirit is angered by the fact that Faust invoked him but now can't handle his presence. He taunts Faust, calling him a "superman" (47) and then a "frightened worm" (48). But then Faust egotistically responds, "My name is Faust, in everything your equal" (48). The spirit responds with a beautiful verse describing his own beauty and powers: "I ply on my wave / With weaving motion / Birth and the grave, / A boundless ocean, / Ceaselessly giving /...Glowing and blending / So work I on the whirring loom of time" (48). Despite how clearly the Spirit of Earth has described his powers, Faust continues to compare himself and his quest to this spirit, further demonstrating his hubris. The spirit vanishes saying they are no match. There is then a knock at the door which Faust blames for spoiling his vision. It is Wagner, Faust's servant, dressed in his pajamas who heard Faust shouting.