Can someone please explain in plain English exactly what this is? Many thanks
2007-01-03 03:39:03 · 6 answers · asked by gorgeousfluffpot 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Dr Faustus was in many legends a scholar who decided to make a deal with the Devil. The agreement was that the Devil would help him in all he did during his earthly lifetime, but would gain his soul when he died. Living a luxurious life, he then died and had to suffer the torments of Hell for eternity. He is probably most famous in England for Christopher Marlowe's play, 'Doctor Faustus' (1604). You can also see an example of a literal faustian pact in Matthew Lewis' novel 'The Monk'.
So a Faustian pact is to do a (literal or metaphorical) 'deal with the devil'. In stories at least, if you make a deal with the devil the human will always come off worse.
2007-01-03 04:30:18 · answer #1 · answered by Nikita21 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Faustian pact does indeed refer to the story of Faustus, but does not require the involvement of Satan himself. It simply refers to a plan for one's own immediate benefit, regardless of any evil or possible consequences that may be involved in the execution and completion of the plan.
For example, if you were to frame your manager for possession of drugs in order to get a promotion at work, regardless of the fact that he would go to prison and all of your workmates would eventually hate you, as well as the fact that you may eventually go to prison yourself, this could be referred to as Faustian. The term is similar (but not identical) to 'Machiavellian.'
2007-01-03 13:18:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a term from Dr Faustus By John Marlow - Faustus made a pact with the Devil to make him rich - so the term often applied to deals with no morals
2007-01-03 11:43:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faust sold his soul to the devil.
So a Faustian pact is one where you're never going to get anything good out of it.
2007-01-03 11:42:13 · answer #4 · answered by mcfifi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means making a binding deal with the devil
(not recommended)
2007-01-03 11:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faustian
theage.com.au/news/people/.../2006/06/07/1149359786421.html
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theage.com.au/news/people/part-2--the-faustian-pact/2006/06/07/...
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www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/06/07/1149359786421.html
www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=183
2007-01-03 12:00:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋