Summary Alone in her room, Gretchen sadly thinks that Faust has abandoned her. She sits at her spinning wheel and sings: My peace is gone, My heart is sore, I shall find it never And never more . . . Analysis The “Spinning Wheel Song” is one of Goethe’s best-known […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Maragareta’s RoomSummary and Analysis Part 1: Forest and Cavern
Summary Torn by the ambivalence between his unselfish love for Gretchen and his passionate desire for her, Faust seeks the solitude of the woods for his thoughts. He is grateful for the new joy in life which his love for Gretchen has given him, but he is undergoing severe emotional […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Forest and CavernSummary and Analysis Part 1: A Summer-House
Summary In a sheltered bower in the garden, possibly a few days later, Faust and Gretchen kiss and pledge their newly discovered love for each other. Mephistopheles and Martha interrupt them and say it is time for the men to leave. Gretchen does not allow Faust to escort her home […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: A Summer-HouseSummary and Analysis Part 1: In Martha’s Garden
Summary In the garden behind Martha’s house, Faust courts Gretchen, and Mephistopheles courts Martha. The two couples stroll back and forth, on and off stage, so that only parts of each conversation are overheard. Gretchen tells Faust about her life at home and her love for her baby sister. Faust […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: In Martha’s GardenSummary and Analysis Part 1: A Street
Summary Faust objects to Mephisto’s scheme, protesting that they cannot lie about the death of a man they have never even seen. The devil presses him to consent anyway. He points out that Faust, as a scholar, often made definitive statements about matters in which he had no precise knowledge. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: A StreetSummary and Analysis Part 1: Neighbor’s House
Summary Martha, the neighbor, is Gretchen’s friend. At the opening of the scene she is alone, thinking about the long absence of her husband. Gretchen runs in and tells Martha that she has found another casket of jewels, but this time has not told her mother. Martha advises that she […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Neighbor’s HouseSummary and Analysis Part 1: A Walk
Summary Faust is pacing back and forth, deep in thought, when Mephistopheles enters. The devil angrily reports that Gretchen’s mother has learned about the jewels and, suspicious of their origin, has turned them over to the priest as an offering. He comments that The Church has an excellent appetite. She […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: A WalkSummary and Analysis Part 1: Evening
Summary Alone in her small bedroom Gretchen braids her hair and wonders about the strange man who accosted her so boldly on the street earlier in the day. Then she goes out to visit a neighbor. Faust and Mephistopheles enter the room, for Faust has expressed the wish to see […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: EveningSummary and Analysis Part 1: A Street
Summary Later, on the street of a typical German town, Faust sees Margareta (usually called Gretchen, her nickname in German), recognizes the maiden of his vision, and develops a great passion for her. He tries to strike up a conversation, but Gretchen refuses to respond to his advances and walks […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: A StreetSummary and Analysis Part 1: Witch’s Kitchen
Summary Now Mephistopheles brings Faust to the mysterious lair of a witch. A brewing cauldron tended by a weird family of monkeys occupies the center of the room, and the place is filled with the occult symbols and paraphernalia of black magic and sorcery. A strange vapor permeates the air. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Witch’s Kitchen