Act II, The Gothic Chamber
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
Quotes from book
Faust
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Original title
Faust
(German, 1808)
Faust is a tragic play in two parts by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, usually known in English as Faust, Part One and Faust, Part Two. Although rarely staged in its entirety, it is the play with the largest audience numbers on German-language stages. Faust is considered by many to be Goethe's magnum opus and the greatest work of German literature.The earliest forms of the work, known as the Urfaust, were developed between 1772 and 1775; however, the details of that development are not entirely clear. Urfaust has twenty-two scenes, one in prose, two largely prose and the remaining 1,441 lines in rhymed verse. The manuscript is lost, but a copy was discovered in 1886.The first appearance of the work in print was Faust, a Fragment, published in 1790. Goethe completed a preliminary version of what is now known as Part One in 1806. Its publication in 1808 was followed by the revised 1828–29 edition, the last to be edited by Goethe himself.
“The message well I hear, my faith alone is weak”
Die Botschaft hör ich wohl, allein, mir fehlt der Glaube
Faust's Study
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Am I a god? I see so clearly!”
Bin ich ein Gott? Mir wird so licht!
Night, Faust in His Study
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Fair I was also, and that was my ruin.”
Schön war ich auch, und das war mein Verderben.
A Prison
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“The Eternal Feminine draws us on.”
Das Ewig-Weibliche zieht uns hinan.
Act V, Heaven, last line
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
“All perishable is but an allegory.”
Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis.
Variant translation: All that is transitory is but a metaphor.
Act V, Chorus mysticus, last sentence, immediately before:
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
“Two souls alas! dwell in my breast.”
Zwey Seelen wohnen, ach! in meiner Brust.
Outside the Gate of the Town
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.”
Mephistopheles and the Student
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Man errs as long as he strives.”
Es irrt der Mensch, so lang er strebt.
Variant translation: Man will err while yet he strives.
Prologue in Heaven
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Who strives always to the utmost,
For him there is salvation.”
Wer immer strebend sich bemüht,
Den können wir erlösen.
Act V, Mountain Gorges
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
“What wise or stupid thing can man conceive
That was not thought of in ages long ago?”
Act II, The Gothic Chamber
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
“Blood is a juice of rarest quality.”
Blut ist ein ganz besondrer Saft.
Variant translation: Blood is a very special juice.
Faust's Study
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“I am the Spirit that always denies!”
Ich bin der Geist der stets verneint.
Faust's Study
Faust, Part 1 (1808)
“Of freedom and of life he only is deserving
Who every day must conquer them anew.”
Nur der verdient sich Freiheit wie das Leben
Der täglich sie erobern muß.
Variant translations:
Freedom and life are earned by those alone
Who conquer them each day anew.
trans. Walter Kaufmann
He only earns his freedom and existence,
Who daily conquers them anew.
trans. Bayard Taylor
Act V, Court of the Palace
Faust, Part 2 (1832)
“I know a little of navigation: / War, trade, and piracy, allow, / As three in one, no separation.”
Source: Faust, Part 2 (1832), Act V, Scene 3
Source: Faust. Translation by Bayard Taylor
