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'''Faust''' is the central character of the archetypical story of a [[Deal
The original seems to have been a John or George Sabellicus, born near the end of the 15th century, a ne'er-do-well con-man who passed himself off as a scholar and conjuror. There is some confusion as to whether ''Faust'' was his real surname or a pseudonym, and as to whether it was derived from Latin ''faustus'' (="lucky") or the German ''Faust'' (="fist"); he seems originally to have been described, not as a doctor, but a master of arts; there is even some doubt as to his given names ([[Johann Wolfgang
The legend that he had sold his soul for magical powers, and had been torn to pieces by devils upon the expiration of the contract, seems to have sprung up immediately, spread by Lutheran preachers who used him as an Awful Example. The first surviving fictional account of his adventures was a chapbook that appeared in 1587, ''Historia von D. Johan. Fausten dem weitbeschreyten Zauberer und Schwartzkünstler'' ("History of Dr. Jno. Faust, the far-famed Wizard and Sorcerer").
In this or similar form the legend spread to England, where [[
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the story proved popular in Germany in the form of chapbooks and puppet plays, often incorporating a great deal of humor and spectacular effects. Certain episodes became standard: Faust summoning up Mephistopheles; Faust disputing with him on the nature of God and the universe; Mephistopheles mocking Faust's scholar-servant, Wagner; Faust gaining the love of Helen of Troy; Faust appearing at the court of the [[Holy Roman Empire|Emperor]]; Faust or Mephistopheles in invisible form playing pranks on [[The Pope]]; Faust being given the chance to repent and refusing; and, finally and inevitably, Faust being dragged off to Hell by devils on the expiration of his contract. A subsidiary episode, in which Faust demands marriage with a virtuous peasant girl and is refused by Mephistopheles on the grounds that marriage, being a sacrament and thus pleasing to God, is against the terms of the contract, would form the basis for the story of Margaret (Margarethe, Gretchen, Marguerite) in subsequent versions of the story.
The greatest embodiment of the story is probably [[Johann Wolfgang
Most subsequent versions of the Faust story either base themselves on one of these two dramas or react against them. The character has been depicted by artists such as Rembrandt and Delacroix; and by composers such as [[Hector Berlioz]], [[Franz Liszt]], [[Charles Gounod]], Boïto and [[Richard Wagner]]. Faust has also appeared in cinematic versions, such as Murnau's ''Faust: Eine deutsche Volkssage'' (1926) and [[Jan Svankmajer]]'s ''Faust'' (1994); while Goethe's version of the story inspired a musical adaptation in two linked albums from metal band Kamelot, ''Epica'' (2003) and ''The Black Halo'' (2005).
Not to be confused with animator [[Lauren Faust]], though that may explain how she [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
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=== Tropes associated with the Faust story in its various versions ===
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* [[All Women Are Lustful]]: Almost all the women lust after Mephistopheles in Goethe's ''Faust'', especially if they're witches. The attraction, however, is not mutual. In Marlowe's version, the only female presences are the spirit of Lust, Helen of Troy (who is presented as a succubus), and the pregnant Duchess.
* [[Alternate Continuity]]: Different authors have different takes on this story, including several that show Faust actually outsmarting the devil with whom he makes a pact.
** [[Whole-Plot Reference]]: The essential story of ''Faust'', in particular the Marlowe and Goethe versions, has been lifted for dozens, if not hundreds, of works over the centuries. Modern examples include ''[[Spawn]]'', ''[[Preacher (Comic Book)]]'', and ''[[Madoka Magica]]'' (though the last isn't obvious at first). Also seen in the ''[[
* [[Altum Videtur]]: Various versions use Latin for Faust's spells.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: More or less, depending on how sympathetic the author is with Faust's dissatisfaction with the moral set-up of his world.
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* [[Celebrity Is Overrated]]: Depending on the author, can be the reason Faust makes his bargain -- or the reason he regrets it.
* [[The Dark Side Will Make You Forget]]: In many versions, Faust starts out with good intentions, which he gradually pays less and less attention to as he goes along -- even, in some versions, to the point of complete dehumanization.
* [[Deal
* [[Defictionalization]]: Up to the 18th century shady booksellers made a buck with weird [[Spell Book|'grimoires']] that supposedly were written by Faust, or contained his 'real' magic spells.
* [[Dragged Off to Hell]]: The standard finale until Goethe came along.
* [[Earn Your Happy Ending]]: Despite being the story of a man who makes a [[Deal
* [[Evil Is Not a Toy]]: Faust's bargain generally involves a great deal of trouble, even if he eventually manages to wriggle out of it.
* [[Evil Sounds Deep]]: In musical adaptations, expect Mephistopheles to be a bass or baritone -- who at some point will most likely burst into a [[Evil Laugh|HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA]]!
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* [[Historical Domain Character]]: Besides Faust himself, the [[Holy Roman Empire|Emperor]], usually Charles V, and [[The Pope]], though he is rarely specified (Alexander VI and Julius II are possibilities).
* [[In Case You Forgot Who Wrote It]]: The work is never simply mentioned as ''Faust''. It is always ''Goethe's Faust''! Justified with so many adaptions though.
* [[In
* [[Kid
* [[Noble Demon]]: Mephistopheles, in some versions.
* [[Mundane Utility]]: The all-powerful magician uses his magic to do things like draw wine from a table and play pranks on detractors.
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* [[Satan]]: He and various associate devils will often show up to support Mephistopheles.
* [[Summoning Ritual]]: Nearly every version will feature the scene in which Faust summons Mephistopheles -- and sometimes various other summoning scenes as well.
* [[Sympathy for
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