In Faust, a two-part play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, depicts human tragedy through the character of Margaret. The protagonist, Faust, loves and then later destroys Margaret's life, with the help of Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles is one the seven archangels cast out of heaven. Margaret, who is also known as Gretchen in the play, is a small-town girl with realistic characteristics. She is a simple and modest girl who lives with her mother, and is from the lower class. Margaret has simple religious faith and is shown to know right from wrong. Margaret's innocent faithful characteristics lead to her downfall in her life, with the help of Faust.

In the beginning of the play Margaret's innocence is clearly visible when Faust made his first attempt to seduce her. Faust secretly gives her a casket full of jewelry, and instead of keeping the beautiful jewels, Margaret immediately tells her...