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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 science is Wagner practicing in the laboratory when Mephistopheles comes upon him in Scene 2 of Act II?

2. What does Mephistopheles cure the blonde woman of in Scene 6 of Act I?

3. What is the setting of Scene 4 in Act I?

4. Who sings a song of rejuvenation to Faust?

5. What does Mephistopheles give Faust to help him on his journey to conjure Helen and Paris?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the philosophical debate featured in Scene 3 of Act II, what does Anaxagoras believe is the origin and basis of nature and matter?

2. What does the homunculus say that Faust is dreaming of in Scene 2 of Act II?

3. Describe the appearance of the emperor during his entrance to the Carnival Masquerade.

4. What is a homunculus and how is it made?

5. What advice does Mephistopheles give to the young page who is having trouble attracting women in Act I?

6. In the philosophical debate featured in Scene 3 of Act II, what does Thales believe is the origin and basis of nature and matter?

7. What is the subject of the prologue of Scene 3 by the Thessalonian witch, Erichto?

8. Explain the circumstances at the end of Scene 7 of Act I, that lead to Faust being found unconscious on the floor.

9. Why does Mephistopheles have a hard time fitting in on ancient classical soil?

10. Why is Faust seeking Helen in Act II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how the Christian conception of good and evil is contrasted with the conception of good and evil as held by the Greeks in the novel. Use specific textual examples to illustrate the different stances and beliefs of these two paradigms.

Essay Topic 2

In Act II, the two students Famulus and Baccalaureus represent two different world views and academic ideologies. Using specific textual evidence and examples compare and contrast these two attitudes towards learning; be sure to describe which view Goethe advocates as being correct (through the use of Mephistopheles) and how this could be a reflection of an overarching message in Faust.

Essay Topic 3

One of the strongest literary tools employed by Goethe in Faust is the use of foreshadowing. Give examples of where Goethe has employed foreshadowing and discuss in detail how this use of foreshadowing furthered the plot, developed character, or strengthened a theme.

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