Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Goethe,
Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832) outstanding German politician,
statesman and poet. He was born at Frankfurt am Mein, the son of Imperial
Councilor, was trained for the law. In 1775 he was invited by the Duke
of Weimar to his court and thereafter spent most of his life in Weimar,
occupying positions of increasing importance.
See: Orest Kiprensky Portrait
of I. W. Goethe.
Faust, the drama by Goethe, on which he worked since 1770 till
1832. First part was finished in 1808. Mephistopheles challenges the Lord
he could ruin the soul of Faust. Mephistopheles tries to satisfy Faust's
different desires, culminating in the incident with Gretchen (Margaret),
whom Faust seduces, bringing about her miserable death.
See: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Faust
and Marguerite.
James Tissot.
Marguerite
in Church.
