Faust Legend: From Marlowe and Goethe to Contemporary Drama and Film

The Faust legend has haunted Western society, influencing literature, art, and cinema. Sara Munson Deats explores its impact, tracing its development from Marlowe and Goethe to dramatic and cinematic adaptations. It is the first comparative analysis of the legend in drama and film.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The enduring fascination with the enigmatic questions of what men and women truly desire and what they would willingly exchange for their immortal souls has been a central theme in Western society throughout history. The Faust legend, a timeless tale retold in various forms of literature, prose fiction, drama, and music, has profoundly shaped and influenced these artistic mediums. In her comprehensive study, Sara Munson Deats delves into the profound impact of this legendary narrative, tracing its evolution from the seminal works of renowned authors such as Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to the numerous dramatic and cinematic adaptations that have captivated audiences for centuries.

Through her meticulous analysis, Deats explores the enduring allure of the Faust legend and its pervasive influence on the literature of the Western world. She demonstrates how this myth has adapted and transformed across time, languages, and nations, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of different eras and locales. This pioneering comparative analysis of the Faust legend in drama and film offers a fresh perspective on its enduring themes and resonant messages.

In the opening chapter, Deats provides a historical overview of the Faust legend, tracing its origins from ancient Germanic folklore to its subsequent adaptations in literature and the arts. She highlights the key themes and motifs that have persisted throughout the narrative, such as the pursuit of knowledge, the consequences of hubris, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Deats also explores the various interpretations of Faust, from the tragic hero who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for worldly pleasures to the more nuanced portrayals that portray Faust as a complex character driven by a desire for self-discovery and transcendence.

The second chapter delves into the dramatic and cinematic adaptations of the Faust legend. Deats analyzes a wide range of plays, operas, films, and television series that have reimagined this iconic tale, exploring their unique approaches and interpretations. She discusses the ways in which these adaptations have captured the essence of the Faust myth, while also adding their own artistic flourishes and contemporary sensibilities. For instance, she examines the 1924 silent film "Faust," directed by F.W. Murnau, which is considered a masterpiece of German expressionism and features stunning visual imagery and a haunting score.

In the third chapter, Deats examines the enduring themes and resonant messages of the Faust legend. She explores how these themes have been interpreted and adapted by different artists and audiences throughout history, reflecting the changing societal norms and values. For example, she discusses how the Faust legend has been used to explore the boundaries of human knowledge, the consequences of scientific progress, and the ethical dilemmas of power and authority. Deats also highlights the ways in which the legend has been used to explore the complexities of human relationships, particularly the tension between love, desire, and sacrifice.

The fourth chapter explores the legacy of the Faust legend in contemporary culture. Deats examines how the myth continues to inspire and influence artists, writers, and filmmakers in the 21st century. She discusses the ways in which contemporary adaptations of the Faust legend reflect the ongoing concerns and anxieties of modern society, such as the impact of technology, the pursuit of fame and fortune, and the ethical dilemmas of climate change and social inequality. Deats also highlights the ways in which the legend has been adapted to address gender roles, sexuality, and identity, reflecting the evolving perspectives and experiences of marginalized communities.

In conclusion, Sara Munson Deats' study of the Faust legend is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of its enduring impact on the literature, art, and cinema of the Western world. Through her comparative analysis of the legend in drama and film, Deats demonstrates how this myth has adapted and transformed across time, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of different eras and locales. She offers a fresh perspective on its enduring themes and resonant messages, highlighting the ways in which the legend continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists and audiences. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of literary and cultural studies, and will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone who is fascinated by the power of storytelling and the enduring legacy of the Faust legend.

The enduring fascination with the enigmatic questions of what men and women truly desire and what they would willingly exchange for their immortal souls has been a central theme in Western society

The Faust legend, a timeless tale retold in various forms of literature, prose fiction, drama, and music, has profoundly shaped and influenced these artistic mediums.

In her comprehensive study, Sara Munson Deats delves into the profound impact of this legendary narrative, tracing its evolution from the seminal works of renowned authors such as Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to the numerous dramatic and cinematic adaptations that have captivated audiences for centuries.

Through her meticulous analysis, Deats explores the enduring allure of the Faust legend and its pervasive influence on the literature of the Western world.

She demonstrates how this myth has adapted and transformed across time, languages, and nations, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of different eras and locales.

This pioneering comparative analysis of the Faust legend in drama and film offers a fresh perspective on its enduring themes and resonant messages.

In the opening chapter, Deats provides a historical overview of the Faust legend, tracing its origins from ancient Germanic folklore to its subsequent adaptations in literature and the arts.

She highlights the key themes and motifs that have persisted throughout the narrative, such as the pursuit of knowledge, the consequences of hubris, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Deats also explores the various interpretations of Faust, from the tragic hero who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for worldly pleasures to the more nuanced portrayals that portray Faust as a complex character driven by a desire for self-discovery and transcendence.

The second chapter delves into the dramatic and cinematic adaptations of the Faust legend.

Deats analyzes a wide range of plays, operas, films, and television series that have reimagined this iconic tale, exploring their unique approaches and interpretations.

She discusses the ways in which these adaptations have captured the essence of the Faust myth, while also adding their own artistic flourishes and contemporary sensibilities.

For instance, she examines the 1924 silent film "Faust," directed by F.W. Murnau, which is considered a masterpiece of German expressionism and features stunning visual imagery and a haunting score.

In the third chapter, Deats examines the enduring themes and resonant messages of the Faust legend.

She explores how these themes have been interpreted and adapted by different artists and audiences throughout history, reflecting the changing societal norms and values.

For example, she discusses how the Faust legend has been used to explore the boundaries of human knowledge, the consequences of scientific progress, and the ethical dilemmas of power and authority.

Deats also highlights the ways in which the legend has been used to explore the complexities of human relationships, particularly the tension between love, desire, and sacrifice.

The fourth chapter explores the legacy of the Faust legend in contemporary culture.

Deats examines how the myth continues to inspire and influence artists, writers, and filmmakers in the 21st century.

She discusses the ways in which contemporary adaptations of the Faust legend reflect the ongoing concerns and anxieties of modern society, such as the impact of technology, the pursuit of fame and fortune, and the ethical dilemmas of climate change and social inequality.

Deats also highlights the ways in which the legend has been adapted to address gender roles, sexuality, and identity, reflecting the evolving perspectives and experiences of marginalized communities.

In conclusion, Sara Munson Deats' study of the Faust legend is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of its enduring impact on the literature, art, and cinema of the Western world.

Through her comparative analysis of the legend in drama and film, Deats demonstrates how this myth has adapted and transformed across time, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of different eras and locales.

She offers a fresh perspective on its enduring themes and resonant messages, highlighting the ways in which the legend continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists and audiences.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of literary and cultural studies, and will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone who is fascinated by the power of storytelling and the enduring legacy of the Faust legend.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108469173