How to read Faust by J. W. v. Goethe (10 Tips)

Today I'm talking about how to read one of my favourite pieces of literature of all time: Faust by J. W. v. Goethe. Hope you enjoy :-)

My Course "French Literature: A Reader’s Journey through the Classics" 👇🏻

00:00 The greatest German writer
00:36 Faust in the canon
00:57 A timeless play
02:03 Tip 1 - Timing
03:45 Tip 2 - Translation
09:35 Tip 3 - German original text
11:01 Tip 4 - Slow down and think
13:34 Tip 5 - Get a guide
15:18 Tip 6 - Don't skip the intros
16:43 Tip 7 - Adaptations
18:21 Tip 8 - Don't take it all too seriously
18:54 Tip 9 - Connect to Goethe
19:58 Tip 10 - Connect to Faust

[gianni.chiarello]

is this the ASMR literature channel I keep hearing about? Soothing.

[CatsnCoasters]

At thirty-nine, I seek the lore,
A soul still hungry, yearning more.
In shadows deep where questions play,
I find my path in Faust's old way.

With every thought, a pact is made,
Between my doubts and dreams that fade.
As pages turn and wisdom calls,
I chase the truth where darkness falls.

[MutantsInDisguise]

I'm glad you talked about Goethe's Faust. It's my favourite book of all time. His story could be the story of the modern person, the one who has thirst for anything you could think of, like happiness, knowledge, etc, yet they end up beubg dissatisfied with themselves. Thank you!

[arbsaug]

Thank you for your wonderful introduction to reading Goethe’s Faust. Many years ago I studied German in high school, and a new book in 2024: GOETHE: His Faustian Life, by A.N. Wilson, has motivated me to read Faust in German with supporting translations. Wilson provides many interesting details of Goethe’s life and the times in which he lived. Thank you again.

[michael-mhx]

Just discovered your channel and I respect how thoughtfully you present these works. This kind of literary content focusing more on a careful analysis of the classics, and less on viral YA novels, is sorely needed.

If you do find the time, the guided readings of Faust would be an excellent idea, despite the workload!

[filipsmit]

Your deep passion for literature is quite infectious! I’m in awe and grateful for you upholding the splendour of the German high-culture like a Caryatid ~ Be well!

[wellesradio]

Your reading of the David Luke translation moved my heart, I almost cried. Thank you.

I must clarify something regarding the Greenberg translation, however. I agree that it does not sound very poetic, but the use of the word manager does make sense. In England and subsequently America, from the 1600’s to the early 20th century, the term “theater manager” meant something different to what we consider a manager today.

Lost theatrical companies used to operate under what was called a “theater-manager” operation. Basically, a lead actor would create his own theater company that suited his own artistic and financial needs. They were usually the star attraction as well as the creative force behind everything the theater did. They produced and directed every play. This was especially popular among touring companies. In those days the iobs of creative director, director, and financial manager did not exist. The actor-manager did all of those jobs. They chose the plays and they directed them.

[karenyates]

I cant believe that I studied at the Hamburg Uni many decades ago and never had the privilege of reading Faust by Goethe. I just ordered my German original copy from Amazon. I look forward to your reading guide follow-up and perhaps more in-depth discussion of this masterpiece! Thanks for bringing it back to the forefront for me!

[doctorfaustxvi]

This video arose from my suggestions the other night, and as someone who has been under the Faustian spell from childhood, I obviously had to give it a chance. Then I saw the name of your channel, and it made me subscribe instantly. Those two words perfectly describe what I'm after in life.

Now that I listened to most of your content while organizing my library, I must say I'm very glad to have discovered you. Always glad to watch well articulated content dealing with matters of culture.

Mach weiter so!

[heraclitus]

Well done. Vielen Dank. Thanks for sharing. It's heartening to see that scholarly people like yourself still appreciate the timeless qualities of world literature and the wisdom it can still impart. 😊

[ftumschk]

I taught myself German via the poems of Müller, Schiller, Heine - and Goethe! - which underpinned the Lieder of Schubert and Schumann. Some of the Lieder set sections of "Faust" to music, of course, but I didn't read the whole work until much later. It's a true masterpiece of world literature.

[silviafrassineti]

Danke, danke. Ich vesuche Deutsch lernen, aber ich bin nicht fertig um Goethe zu lesen.
But I have a translation with the original text, your video is the perfect inspiration to start. I have found your channel only recently and I really appreciate your love for classics literature.

[ziyuanwang-iqkk]

Nice video! I have been reading Faust in English for a month and that inspired my interest in literature. I am so glad to find tutorials like this!

[apocalypsereading]

i read the David Luke translation for uni and was amazed that it wasn't originally in English, everything seemed so smooth, natural, and witty, and the metre and rhyme worked so well... thanks for sharing your passion, it's always inspiring to hear ppl talk about books that shaped their development ~

[daphnakedmi]

Thank you for this video. I've had Faust on my shelf for some years now and since I purchased it I have never been able to work up the courage to dive in. For various reasons, intellectual escapism being the foremost of them, I have decided that NOW is the right time to set my apprehensions aside and just begin. But I am really lacking the relevant background on Goethe himself, the era and the culture. So I searched YouTube and lo and behold I found your channel and you have given me the kickstart I needed. I'll start off by reading about Goethe in general, and will still be looking for some sort of guide to take me on this journey whether online or published. If you can recommend such a reading guide it would be great. Thank you, and you have a great channel.

[horizonnutritionuk]

Keep going, Maria, you are absolutely killing it 🤩. Hope you're well.

[condelevante]

German seems ideal for poetry. I would love to improve my German. Your video switched on a light in me

[MrMrilikepie]

Guided readings for Faust would be incredible! Really wanting to go into it. I think it is the point in my life that you described would be a great time to read it. :)

[jonbeltz]

I would 100% watch a series explaining more of Faust if you made one! I'm reading through an English translation of right now, though I also have Part 1 in the Reclam edition and I've tried to read some of my favorite parts in German (aber mein Deutsche ist nicht so gut). It's a fascinating work, and I'd love to have more guidance on how to understand more of it.

[petyashalamanova]

I’ve started reading Faust since first seeing your video where you shared your love of the book. I’m so enthralled by the rhythm of the poetry and it’s philosophy so far. I’m reading it every day, small bits at a time, which allows me to properly devour be beauty of the rhythm but stay with the characters viewpoint and perspective for longer too. Oh and I am reading the David Luke as well as the Walter Kaufman’s translation, I’m curious of what you think of the second. I will one day read it in my native Bulgarian, it will be fun to get the effects of this great works in my heart’s language. Thank you again for stearing the wheel towards Geothe.