Marlowe, Goethe, and the Faust Legend

The Faust legend has held the imagination of Western culture for many years. Variants of the story have appeared as stage works, poems, novels, and even instrumental music. The man who makes a deal with the Devil sometimes achieves redemption and sometimes is dragged down to Hell. Audiences are horrified by his dealing with infernal powers yet sympathize with his efforts to break the pact.