Sparta

Sparta was a kingdom in Ancient Greece ruled by Menelaus at the time of the Trojan War. It was the home of Helen.

Medieval Castle

The castle in Act III represents the style of the 16th century German castle, gloomy but stout.

Arcadia

Arcadia was a part of Greece, close to Sparta. Helen and Faust retreat there to have their son Euphorion.

Helen's veil

Helen is pure spirit, but her veil has some corporeal existence. After she disappears, Faust wraps himself in her veil, which magically transports him to a mountaintop before turning into a cloud.

Phalanx

A Phalanx was a Greek military organizational unit. Typically a square several layers deep with soldiers, the spears of the soldiers would point in one direction. Formidable in the front, phalanxes are virtually undefended in the rear and sides.

Paper Money

Paper money was a relatively new invention in Goethe's...