Monday, February 3, 2014

Goethe's Faust

After many years, I finally read Part 1. It is simple and easy reading, if you are tuned to the stuff. It is a cosmic in scope and intent, as far as is given to mortal genius. The verse is scintillating and conversational, the devil himself a guy like someone down street, peppered with many sharp observations on daily life. The drama winds around the tragic travails of a young couple, in which the writer weaves the tapestry of the human life condition: grim, pathetic, unsparing as Lear. Hopefully, I may read the second part too. On my shelf is the 2011 Sakarov film as well as the older Mephisto. Also, a chance to revisit the twenties silent version. Life is short, art mere luxury.

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