Who was Dr. Faust?

Question

My English teach keeps mentioning the Faust archetype. Whe studdies the elements of the Foust theme, but who was Dr. Faust? Was he a real person that became a legand or was a a character in a famous work?

Answer 1

Faust or Faustus is the protagonist of a popular German legend in which a mediæval scholar makes a pact with the Devil. The tale is the basis for many literary works by, for instance, Christopher Marlowe, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Klaus Mann, Thomas Mann, Charles Gounod, Hector Berlioz and Oscar Wilde.

The origin of the character is assumed to be based on the historical figure of the German magician and alchemist Dr Johann Georg Faust (approximately 1480–1540). The name "Faust" has come to stand for a charlatan alchemist (some claim "astrologer and necromancer") whose pride and vanity lead to his doom. Similarly, the adjective "faustian" has come to denote acts or constellations involving human hubris which lead eventually to doom.

Answer 2

Faust is a character from German legend who sells his soul to the devil. There are many versions - Marlow, Goethe, but the idea is the same - a man selling his soul to the devil for fame and fortune. Have you ever heard of the play Damn Yankees? Same legend. An old man sells his soul to the devil for a chance to play for the Washington Senators - who came in second to the Yankees every year (like the Red Sox now!) What would YOU sell your soul to the devil for????? C.

Answer 3

Faust was a literary figure who sold his soul to the devil to gain wealth and power.

The original story was a German folk tale, but over the years many have used the tale to base thier own writings on, they include Thomas Mann, Goethe, Oscar Wilde, Vaclav Haval, Gertrude Stien and David Mamet to name only a few

Answer 4

The Faust or Faustus legend appears a great deal in German literature. Here is a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faust

Good luck.