| Faust: No Small Task! by Cynthia Sedey, Class of 2006 In my Second Year of teacher training, I had the good fortune to participate in a class on Goethe's Faust, led by Douglas Gerwin. One might ask how a play written over two hundred years ago could help train Waldorf teachers. Rudolf Steiner said teachers should prepare themselves to teach in three ways: 1) Study the nature of the human being, 2) Actively work at self-development, and 3) Master lesson content and techniques. Faust addresses the first two. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), a gifted scientist, poet and philosopher, started writing Faust when he was 22. He finished when he was in his 80's. Faust, (c. 1480's - 1540's) is believed to have been an historical character, who lived during the Renaissance in Germany. He was known as an alchemist and doctor, as well as a charlatan and sorcerer. After his death, his legend grew through Volksbücher (comic books of the time), which were taken up and expanded upon by various authors. Goethe's rendition is commonly held as the artistic authority. In his letters and journals, Goethe wrote that Faust had "a secret meaning for attentive readers." In Faust, God and Mephisto (the Devil) appear to strike a wager concerning the behavior of Faust, God's "knight." Faust, in turn, makes a deal with Mephisto. He wants to know that which holds the universe together. He tells Mephisto that, when his curiosity is satisfied, he will surrender to him. As one would expect, the play delves into questions about good and evil. Interestingly, they are not portrayed as polar opposites. Goethe suggests that evil falls into two contrasting spheres - too worldly or too spiritual; i.e., Ahrimanic or Luciferic. Among other things, it is portrayed as hate or desire, dogma or groundless idealism, sclerosis or flamboyance. Good is the transformation or metamorphosis that occurs between these opposing polarities. Goethe's ideas about this subject had never before been considered. This was completely fresh. Ralph Waldo Emerson highlighted this when he said of Faust, "Goethe closes the door on the old world and opens the gates on the new." Rudolf Steiner said, "The task of our time is solving the mystery of evil." We are to recognize, and balance between, the forces that are continually working on us. We are to find the middle ground. Goethe's Faust provides a guidebook. The nature of the human being, and the influences that work upon him, are highlighted in a richly pictorial and poetic way. Hence, the reader is invited to enter into the ideas with feeling. Because of this, what I learned in Faust will always be with me. The darkness and light within, and without, are clearer, more real. My task is defined. Fluidly and dynamically, I am to balance between the decay of materialism and the intoxication of groundlessness - no small task! In addition, I must continually remind myself that my fellow human beings are doing the same. It's a wonder we all get along as well as we do! Faust has helped me to gain a certain measure of compassion and understanding. I try to be kinder to myself and others. I recognize and honor our attempts to learn and grow in the face of resistance. I do see, I believe, that we are striving to improve, striving to do better. And I take comfort in that. |
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