Heinrich Faust

Faust begins the play as a relatively good person. He serves the Lord but according to the Lord Himself, he serves in confusion. The Lord grants Mephistopheles permission to try to draw Faust away from the Lord. The description the Lord and even Mephistopheles give of the faith of Faust is greatly contrasted with the audience's first view of Faust as they see him in dismay and melancholy, and at the brink of committing suicide. Faust has reached this point because he no longer sees the sense of his learning. He feels that although he has dedicated his life to the task of gaining knowledge he is no better off than when he began. He has no wealth or riches to show for his learning and even feels mocked by the respect others show to him.

In literary terms Faust is categorized as a tragic hero. Faust...