2023-10-11 15:49:00
“Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is one of the greatest works of German literature, which touches on eternal themes: the meaning of life, the search for truth, the limitless possibilities of the human mind. It also talks about the temptation of wealth. But ironically, it is Faust and Mephistopheles who now adorn the new 100 euro gold collectible coin, which is being prepared for release in October. It will be made of gold (999), weigh 15.55 grams and have a diameter of 28 mm. In total no more than 160 thousand copies. The release price is approximately 1000 euros.
Gold coin series
The coin depicts Faust and Mephistopheles, whose profiles look in different directions; between them is a feather as a symbol of the deal they made and a small drop of blood with which it was sealed. On the right, face to face with Faust, is Gretchen’s profile.
The coin was designed by artist Michael Otto from Rodenbach, Germany. It was the first in an eight-part series entitled “Masterpieces of German Literature”, dedicated to the most important German works. From 2023, a new coin dedicated to literary themes will be issued annually. In this case, the focus will be not on the author, but on the literary work and its significance for German culture.
After “Faust,” collectible coins in this series will be dedicated to the play “The Broken Jug” by Heinrich von Kleist, the story “From the Life of a Slacker” by Joseph Karl Benedikt von Eichendorff, and the novella “The Beech of the Jew. Picture” morals of mountainous Westphalia” by Annette von Droste-Hülshoff), the critical work “This Book Belongs to the King” by Bettina von Arnim, the novel “Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann, the poem “The Old Tibetan Carpet “Else Lasker-Schüler, novel “The Trial” by Franz Kafka.
“Faust” – Goethe’s life’s work
Poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) made an enormous contribution to German and world literature. His works, and especially the philosophical drama Faust, immortalized his name and ensured world fame for German literature of the 19th century.
Goethe spent 60 years writing and revising the tragedy in two parts. Already between 1772 and 1775 the author began to develop this topic. The manuscript of the first version was lost, but a copy was found more than a century later.
Goethe’s Faust I was the first book published in the famous German book series Reclam’s Universal Library Photo: Heritage Images/picture alliance
The first printed version of the drama was published in 1790 under the title Faust, fragment. Over the years, the playwright continued to rework what is now known as Faust, Part One. The last published version, edited by Goethe himself, appeared in 1828-1829. Goethe spent the last years of his life working on the second part of his magnum opus, Faust, Part Two. It was published in 1832, after the writer’s death, in accordance with his last will.
Renaissance alchemist who became the hero of Faust
At the center of Goethe’s work is the figure of Doctor Faustus, a depressed scientist who, after an unsuccessful suicide attempt, sells his soul to the devil in exchange for exceptional knowledge and pleasure. One of the milestones in Faust’s tireless search for the meaning of life was his love affair with Gretchen, which ended tragically.
Goethe’s drama was inspired by the story of a real person, Johann Georg Faust, a German alchemist, astrologer and magician of the Renaissance, who was condemned by the church as a blasphemer who made a pact with the devil. Facts and rumors about this historical character gave rise to many myths that became part of German folklore.
Why is this story still relevant?
Goethe’s Faust is filled with philosophical reflections on the ideals of the Enlightenment, a philosophical and intellectual movement that promoted modern ideas and faith in scientific and technological progress. This is also typical for today’s society.
“Faust” has not been forgotten in cultural life – the play is still performed on theater stages. Many references to this work can be seen in pop culture. Even in our speech, the adjective “Faustian” has become firmly established, implying the sacrifice of spiritual values for the sake of power, knowledge or material gain.
Parallels with today can also be drawn in connection with the monetary themes raised in the drama. Thus, the author of the book Goethe’s Faust: A Modern Drama, Michael Jaeger, believes that the scene with paper money, for example, fully reflects our world today. We are talking about the moment when Mephistopheles replaces gold with paper bills to encourage their spending Ultimately, wasting money leads to inflation, which gets out of control.According to the author, this episode is reflected in real life.
According to another German historian and researcher of Goethe’s work, Paul Kahl, one of the distinctive features of the German poet is that he put the traditions of “old Europe” to the test with the help of new questions. Despite the fact that each era has its own socio-political structure, the most significant issues of human existence always remain unchanged, the literary critic notes. Therefore, according to Kahl, Goethe’s classic works remain relevant over time. Like, for example, one of the central questions of the work: “What knowledge are we able to obtain and is there a limit to this knowledge?”
There are, of course, many more lessons in Goethe’s work that are also useful to modern people, and they are more valuable for literature lovers than the new 100 euro gold coin with the image of Faust and Mephistopheles from the “Masterpieces of German Literature” series.
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