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Title: Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, David Luke, F. D. Luke ISBN: 0-19-283595-5 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: October, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Well Worth Reading - especially the extra notes!
Comment: I am very glad to have been exposed to this classic and am definitely pleased to have read this particular translation of it. Though the rhythm was occasionally jarring (see review below), Luke's EXTENSIVE introduction (50 pages or so!) and explanatory notes helped me get so much out of this piece. I received glimpses of insight on German history, the Germanic culture, witchcraft, superstition, how 18th century "geniuses" viewed Shakespeare, traditional church customs, etc.
For those who don't know, the basic premise of this story is based on a German folk legend. In that legend from the 16th century, a learned man named Faust sold his soul to the Devil in order to gain more knowledge and understanding. As that legend grew and became incorporated in the Germanic culture, so did its appeal to many artists. There have been apparently many writers and such who have used this legend as a foundation for their works.
However, of all the Faust tales, Goethe's appears to be the preeminent one today. Why? Well, for one thing, he worked on this intermittantly from 1770 to 1808 with 3 main versions cited. Goethe became quite famous for many of his other works, and this one apparently gives great insight to his personal philosophies at different stages. Thus, many find it worth studying.
Also, as Goethe was a central figure in Germany's emergence from the Enlightenment era into the Romantic era, his work - and especially this piece - was celebrated by those trying to usher in a new way. While the number of submovements is slightly tricky to keep track of, the main thrust is that the young intellectuals idolized Goethe and championed his cause. His version of Faust became the source for many plays and even an opera which I think is still performed today.
But what about the tale itself? Goethe certainly has a genius and it blooms in a novel way in this piece. Though he left the Christian faith early on in life, he realized that the concepts of good, evil, sin, temptation, condemnation to hell, hedonism, etc. all had a dramatic weight to them that was irresistable to his as an artist. Thus, as he developed this piece, he leaned heavily on the faith, superstition and legends of his day in order to weave this tale. As such, you get a wonderful, power tale that gives you a great - though somewhat twisted - picture of the Germanic culture of his time.
HOWEVER, Goethe does some really odd things as well. For instance, as he added to this piece over the years, he often didn't change much of the former material. Therefore, in the piece there are many internal contradictions and dangling references. In addition, he tended to throw in verses he developed for other purposes - such as one of the prologues and the "Walpurgis Night Dream" scenario - which don't technically have anything to do with the storyline. Even his whole focus on Gretchen - while generally the focus of most plays and operas - actually wasn't a part of the original Faust legened. And yet, it all worked together somehow and was a delight to read.
All in all, I think reading this short, weighty classic was well worth the time. It helped add a piece of understanding about Euporean thought and culture 200 years ago as well as speak some to my own life.
Rating: 5
Summary: Well it's a classic
Comment: The fact that it is a classic is one of the reason to read it, but it isn't one of those books that requires a great understanding of the time and era to appreciate. Not only is it, as some think, a book about what Goethe knew; it is aswell a book about everything he didn't know. And a review about it could go on forever.
Since Goethe did not only have a sharp brilliant understanding, he was (I'm sure this is mentioned in other reviews) also compelled to all sorts of superstition and truly obnoxious arrogant behaviour, stressing his own importance, which is why rational people such as J.S.Mill didn't care much about his works, while on the other hand some self-indulging people have made him their God. This play, that he wrote on 20 years or so, sums it all up pretty neat, If you don't want to read it to get your questions about the universe and everything answered or un-answered, at least it is interesting for its imagination alone.
My opinions on the book are probable to change as my life progresses, but anyhow this review shows, if nothing else, what a person *can* think of it, as everyone for sure has their own opinion about it.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great work, great translation, and great notes
Comment: The previous review is clear about the value of this translation. Knowing a bit of German, I can say that this translation does use shapes instead of forms for Gestalten. the real value of the work beyond the translation, however, especially for first time readers, is found in the notes made by David Luke. These notes are helpful for the historical context, allusions to Goethe's personal life and work, and allusions to philosophy, literature, and more ... all essential to understanding the work.
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Title: Faust: Part Two (Oxford World's Classics) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, David Luke, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ISBN: 0192836366 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: July, 1999 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Geoffrey Wall, Michele Roberts ISBN: 0140449124 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: Philosophical Essays by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Daniel Garber, Roger Ariew ISBN: 0872200620 Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Pub. Date: December, 1989 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Rousseau: 'The Discourses' and Other Early Political Writings by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Gourevitch ISBN: 0521424453 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 13 July, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Faust: A Tragedy: Interpretive Notes, Contexts, Modern Criticism (Norton Critical Editions) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Walter W. Arndt, Cyrus Hamlin ISBN: 0393972828 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $21.30 |
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