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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What holiday is the court preparing to celebrate in Act I?

2. Who becomes the fool for the emperor in Scene 2 of Act I?

3. According to the astrologer in Scene 2, what is the fairest star?

4. According to Faust's dream, who is the mother of Helen?

5. What is the name of the daughter of Nereus, who is expected to return to the sea in Act II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is symbolic about Faust's unconsciousness in the beginning of Act II?

2. Explain the circumstances at the end of Scene 7 of Act I, that lead to Faust being found unconscious on the floor.

3. What does the Chancellor say about the judge "who cannot punish crime" in Scene 2?

4. Describe Famulus's attitude towards learning and academic achievement.

5. What is the subject of the prologue of Scene 3 by the Thessalonian witch, Erichto?

6. What is a homunculus and how is it made?

7. When Mephistopheles pays off the debts of the emperor with notes what is the response of the court?

8. Describe Baccalaureus's attitude towards learning and academic achievement.

9. Why is Mephistopheles unable to see into Faust's dreams?

10. How does Mephistopheles become the new fool to the emperor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Deception as a means to get gain is a theme throughout Faust. Discuss three different instances where deception is achieved through the use of disguise. Based on these accounts of deception, what commentary is Faust making about the use of deception in society?

Essay Topic 2

What relationship between the classical and the modern does Goethe portray when he shifts from utilizing formal elements of Greek tragedy in his writing style of Act 2 and 3 and then utilizes more modern literary devices to describe the battle in Act 4. Using specific textual evidence discuss how Goethe draws attention to the juxtaposition of these two literary traditions.

Essay Topic 3

In Act II, the two students Famulus and Baccalaureus represent two different world views and academic ideologies. Using specific textual evidence and examples compare and contrast these two attitudes towards learning; be sure to describe which view Goethe advocates as being correct (through the use of Mephistopheles) and how this could be a reflection of an overarching message in Faust.

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