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A partial explanation of this apparent contradiction in the author's attitude is to
be found in what has been said of its manner of composition。 Goethe began it
in his romantic youth； and availed himself recklessly of the supernatural
elements in the legend； with the disregard of reason and plausibility
characteristic of the romantic mood。 When he returned to it in the beginning of
the new century his artistic standards has changed； and the supernaturalism
could now be tolerated only by being made symbolic。 Thus he makes the
career of Faust as a whole emblematic of the triumph of the persistent striving
for the ideal over the temptation to find complete satisfaction in the sense； and
prepares the reader for this interpretation by prefixing the 〃Prologue in
Heaven。〃 The elaboration of this symbolic element is responsible for such
scenes as the Walpurgis … Night and the Intermezzo scenes full of power and
infinitely suggestive； but destructive of the unity of the play as a tragedy of
human life。 Yet there remains in this First Part even in its final form much that
is realistic in the best sense； the carousal in Auerbach's cellar； the portrait of
Martha； the Easter … morning walk； the character and fate of Margaret。 It is
such elements as these that have appealed to the larger reading public and that
have naturally been emphasized by performance on the stage； and by virtue of
these alone 〃Faust〃 may rank as a great drama； but it is the result of Goethe's
broodings on the mystery of human life； shadowed forth in the symbolic parts
and elaborated with still greater complexity and still more far … reaching
suggestiveness … and； it must be added； with deepening obscurity … in the
Second Part； that have given the work its place with 〃Job；〃 with the
〃Prometheus Bound；〃 with 〃The Divine Comedy；〃 and with 〃Hamlet。〃
The Tragedy Of Faust … Dedication
Ye wavering shapes； again ye do enfold me； As erst upon my troubled sight
ye stole； Shall I this time attempt to clasp； to hold ye？ Still for the fond illusion
yearns my soul？ Ye press around！ Come then； your captive hold me； As
upward from the vapoury mist ye roll； Within my breast youth's throbbing
pulse is bounding； Fann'd by the magic breath your march surrounding。
Shades fondly loved appear； your train attending； And visions fair of many a
blissful day； First … love and friendship their fond accents blending； Like to
some ancient； half … expiring lay； Sorrow revives； her wail of anguish sending
Back o'er life's devious labyrinthine way； And names the dear ones； they
whom Fate bereaving Of life's fair hours； left me behind them grieving。
They hear me not my later cadence singing； The souls to whom my earlier lays
I sang； Dispersed the throng； their severed flight now winging； Mute are the
voices that responsive rang。 For stranger crowds the Orphean lyre now
stringing； E'en their applause is to my heart a pang； Of old who listened to my
song； glad hearted； If yet they live； now wander widely parted。
A yearning long unfelt； each impulse swaying； To yon calm spirit … realm
uplifts my soul； In faltering cadence； as when Zephyr playing； Fans the
Aeolian harp； my numbers roll； Tear follows tear； my steadfast heart obeying
The tender impulse； loses its control； What I possess as from afar I see；
Those I have lost become realities to me。
Prologue For The Theatre
Manager。 Dramatic Poet。 Merryman。
Manager
Ye twain； in trouble and distress True friends whom I so oft have found； Say；
for our scheme on German ground； What prospect have we of success？ Fain
would I please the public； win their thanks； They live and let live； hence it is
but meet。 The posts are now erected； and the planks； And all look forward to
a festal treat。 Their places taken； they； with eyebrows rais'd； Sit patiently； and
fain would be amaz'd。 I know the art to hit the public taste； Yet ne'er of failure
felt so keen a dread； True； they are not accustomed to the best； But then
appalling the amount they've read。 How make our entertainment striking； new；
And yet significant and pleasing too？ For to be plain； I love to see the throng；
As to our booth the living tide progresses； As wave on wave successive rolls
along； And through heaven's narrow portal forceful presses； Still in broad
daylight； ere the clock strikes four； With blows their way towards the box
they take； And； as for bread in famine； at the baker's door； For tickets are
content their necks to break。 Such various minds the bard alone can sway；
My friend； oh work this miracle to … day！
Poet
Oh of the motley throng speak not before me； At whose aspect the Spirit
wings its flight！ Conceal the surging concourse； I implore thee； Whose vortex
draws us with resistless might。 No； to some peaceful heavenly nook restore
me； Where only for the bard blooms pure delight； Where love and friendship
yield their choicest blessing； Our heart's true bliss； with god … like hand
caressing。
What in the spirit's depths was there created； What shyly there the lip shaped
forth in sound； A failure now； with words now fitly mated； In the wild tumult
of the hour is drown'd； Full oft the poet's thought for years hath waited Until
at length with perfect form 'tis crowned； What dazzles； for the moment born；
must perish； What genuine is posterity will cherish。
Merryman
This cant about posterity I hate； About posterity were I to prate； Who then
the living would amuse？ For they Will have diversion； ay； and 'tis their due。 A
sprightly fellow's presence at your play； Methinks should also count for
something too； Whose genial wit the audience still inspires； Knows from their
changeful mood no angry feeling； A wider circle he desires； To their heart's
depths more surely thus appealing。 To work； then！ Give a master … piece； my
friend； Bring Fancy with her choral trains before us； Sense； reason； feeling；
passion； but attend！ Let folly also swell the tragic chorus。
Manager
In chief； of incident enough prepare！ A show they want； they come to gape
and stare。 Spin for their eyes abundant occupation； So that the multitude may
wondering gaze； You by sheer bulk have won your reputation； The man you
are all love to praise。 By mass alone can you subdue the masses； Each then
selects in time what suits his bent。 Bring much； you something bring for various
classes； And from the house goes every one content。 You give a piece；
abroad in pieces send it！ 'Tis a ragout … success must needs attend it； 'Tis easy
to serve up； as easy to invent。 A finish'd whole what boots it to present！ Full
soon the public will in pieces rend it。
Poet
How mean such handicraft as this you cannot feel！ How it revolts the genuine
artist's mind！ The sorry trash in which these coxcombs deal； Is here approved
on principle； I find。
Manager
Such a reproof disturbs me not a whit！ Who on efficient work is bent； Must
choose the fittest instrument。 Consider！ '