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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mephistopheles give all the men in the tavern?

2. What does Faust believe about the girl he sees the image of at the witch's house?

3. What is Faust's method of suicide when he contemplates ending his life?

4. What does Faust threaten to do if Mephistopheles is unable to get the girl he is obsessed with for him?

5. With what does Faust sign his agreement with Mephistopheles?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reasons does the director decide that the audience should experience a journey from heaven to hell in this play?

2. Why is Mephistopheles initially held prisoner by Faust and how does he escape?

3. Describe Faust's crisis during "Night" and "Outside the Town Wall."

4. How do Faust and Mephistopheles plan to get the girl for Faust at the end of "A Street"?

5. What is the fate of the first box of jewels that Mephistopheles secretly leaves Gretchen and why?

6. What debate arises between Mephistopheles and God in regards to Faust?

7. What concerns does Faust have in regards to his bargain with the devil?

8. Describe the actions of the baboons in "A Witch's Kitchen."

9. Why is Mephistopheles bored with and disdainful of mankind?

10. Why does the black poodle disturb Faust?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of irony in "Faust." Define the term and use several passages from the text to illustrate these ideas. Suggestions of examples from the text include the following: Faust's first encounter with Mephistopheles falling on Easter, Faust's choice of pursuing Gretchen, Valentine's name, and the notion that Mephistopheles recognizes the greed and hypocrisy of the church. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What is a "faustian bargain"? How is this used in everyday language? How does it relate to "Faust?" What is significant about the fact that this term has entered the vernacular in regards to the importance of the play itself on society? What does this suggest about not only Goethe's intent in writing this play, but about the character of Faust and his situation?

Essay Topic 3

How does Faust's innate skepticism of higher powers help lead to his downfall? How is this related to his agreement to Mephistopheles's bargain? In addition to his doubts about Mephistopheles's power, why does this lead Faust into a troubled relationship with God? How and why does Faust retain this skepticism throughout the play? What does this suggest about his character as a whole? Discuss these questions (though not exclusively) in a brief essay about Faust's skepticism while using strong examples from the text to support these arguments.

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