Faust

Historical Context and Significance

«Faust» by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stands as a pinnacle of German and world literature, blending elements of drama, poetry, and philosophical treatise. The work, which Goethe labored over for nearly his entire life, began in the 1770s and was completed in 1831. It narrates the story of the scholar Faust, who makes a pact with the devil in the form of Mephistopheles, in search of the true essence of the world and human existence. Goethe's «Faust» influenced not only literature but also philosophy, becoming a cultural symbol of humanity's eternal quest for knowledge and understanding of the world, as well as an illustration of the perpetual struggle between spiritual and material forces within humans. This work remains relevant in the modern world, serving as a subject of study and a source of inspiration for many generations of scholars, philosophers, writers, and art critics.