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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. During the "Prologue in Heaven," how many archangels are with God?

2. Why is Faust unhappy with his life's work?

3. What does Martha believe about her abusive husband?

4. What must Faust step inside of in order to begin the spell to make him appear younger?

5. What is Faust doing in his first appearance in this play?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Gretchen admit out loud to herself while she is alone during "Evening"?

3. How does Faust feel about the mystery girl he sees in the mirror and in the street?

4. Describe the bargain between Faust and Mephistopheles.

5. Why does Mephistopheles have no power over the girl with whom Faust is obsessed?

6. Describe the argument between the director, the clown, and the poet in "Prelude on the Stage."

7. In the "Dedication," why is Goethe so wistful?

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

9. What primary function does the clown serve during "Prelude on the Stage"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss God and Mephistopheles in the following format:

Part 1) Their similarities and differences.

Part 2) Their relationship and how it affects the world.

Part 3) Their differing opinions on the human race.

Part 4) Their relationships with their followers.

Part 5) Their methods of balancing each others' influence and power.

Part 6) The subversion of good versus evil.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

What is meta-theater? How is meta-theater used in "Faust"? Describe the scene or scenes in which this concept is present and how it affects the characters. What purpose does it serve, and how does it frame the rest of the play? Does it alter the mood of the play at all? If so, how? How do these moments of meta-theater change the readers perceptions of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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