Faust
Johann Faust was a scholar who lived in Germany around the time 1480 to 1539 (approximately). He was said to have been a student of sorcery, astrology and alchemy, the "black arts". In legend he traveled the world and was generally believed to be evil. In reality he was probably a charlatan. During his lifetime Martin Luther condemned him as "a serious threat to society".
In 1587 a book was published anonymously called "Faustbach". In this book Faust appeared in stories and was depicted as having magical powers and preying on unsuspecting people. This was the first written account of Faust.
It was after reading a translation of "Faustbach" that Christopher Marlowe was inspired to write the play "The Tragicall History of D. Faustus" in 1592. In this version of Faust's life he sells his soul to the devil so that he can learn all that there is to know. He becomes very powerful but, inevitably, has to submit to Satan in the end. The play was translated back into German and was quickly followed by many other plays which continued the Faust theme.
It was Gotthold Ephraim who added the next slant to the tale. He ends it with Faust reconciling himself with God.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe's version of the legend was widely considered to be his best work. In 1808 the first part of his epic poem "Faust" was published. It concentrated more on Faust's aspirations and his desire to learn. The second part of the work was published after Goethe's death in 1832. In this version too, Faust finds redemption and makes his peace with God.
Goethe's work went on to inspire two operas, "Faust" by Charles Gounod and "The Damnation of Faust" by Hector Bertoz.
In 1947 the German novelist Thomas Mann wrote of "Doctor Faustus", a composer of great genius who has to pay the price for his deal with Satan.
Faust is not the only one said to have had dealings with the devil in order to enhance their skills. In the 1930s it was rumoured that the great blues star Robert Johnson had made a trade with Satan and offered his soul in exchange for his extraordinary musical ability. He was said to have met the devil at a remote country crossroad where they made the deal.
Robert Johnson
This rumour was repeated again in the 1960s with a different star as the "soul trader". This time the musician was guitarist Jimi Hendrix who died of a drug overdose in 1970, aged 28.
I went down to the crossroad,
fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroad, fell down
on my knees.
Asked the lord above "Have mercy,
save poor Bob if you please"
-- Robert Johnson
