Faust: Pt.2 (Classics)
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" One of those great works of literature into which a writer has been able to combine his ranging preoccupations and understanding as he worked."
-A. S. Byatt, from the Preface
-A. S. Byatt, from the Preface
Product Description
In this sequel to Faust, Mephistopheles takes Faust on a journey through ancient Greek mythology, conjuring for him the insurpassably beautiful Helen of Troy, as well as the classical gods. Faust falls in love with and marries Helen, embodying for Goethe his 'imaginative longing to join poetically the Romantic Medievalism of the germanic West to the classical genius of the Greeks'. Further to the themes of redemption and salvation in this great drama, are Goethe's eerie premonitions of modern phenomena such as inflation and the creation of life by scientific synthesis.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The above review would imply this volume is Philip Wayne's translation of Faust Part II, which has been on Penguin Classic's list for many years. In fact this is a new translation of Goethe's masterpiece, done by David Constantine one of our best contemporary poets and a distinguished translator.
Comparison with Wayne's translation this emerges favourably, not least because Constantine's English is more contemporary and less ponderous. More impressive still is the work Constantine has done to reflect the different poetic metres and rhymes in the original. These run naturally to modern ears. A considerable achievement, especially as one considers that this work is much more difficult than Faust Part I.
This edition also scores over Wayne's (which was a wonderful achievement) in it's notes to clarify the allusions to Classical Greek mythology, Goethe's writing process and the origins of various lines. There are also fascinating introductions from Constantine about the translation of the text, listing previous attempts (including Wayne) and summaries of each act.
All in all, this is a prime recomedation for a translation of Faust, that is worthy alogside Constantines equally distunguished Faust, Part I from the same publisher.
Comparison with Wayne's translation this emerges favourably, not least because Constantine's English is more contemporary and less ponderous. More impressive still is the work Constantine has done to reflect the different poetic metres and rhymes in the original. These run naturally to modern ears. A considerable achievement, especially as one considers that this work is much more difficult than Faust Part I.
This edition also scores over Wayne's (which was a wonderful achievement) in it's notes to clarify the allusions to Classical Greek mythology, Goethe's writing process and the origins of various lines. There are also fascinating introductions from Constantine about the translation of the text, listing previous attempts (including Wayne) and summaries of each act.
All in all, this is a prime recomedation for a translation of Faust, that is worthy alogside Constantines equally distunguished Faust, Part I from the same publisher.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
A far-reaching, entralling tale of a man's bargain with the devil. Ultimately achieving redemption, the story of faust encompasses the struggle of the human condition and the plight of one man's soul, and his effort to find that heavenly spur: His own meaning. Exquisitly written; hard but worthwhile. A poetic masterpiece where much kudos must be awarded to P.Wayne's sublime translation. It's not for the faint-hearted for it requires extravagant knowledge of Roman and Greek mythology, but it is worth the journey. Read this poetry. And remember the words of the Angels:
' For he whose strivings never cease
Is ours for his redeeming.'
' For he whose strivings never cease
Is ours for his redeeming.'
Format:Paperback
I was hesitant to read 'Faust, Part II' after hearing from many sources of how impenetrable it is. However, because I loved 'Faust, Part I', I decided to give it a try. I should point out that I'm neither a student of literature or classical civilization, of which a great deal of the references in this allude to. However, for the first 80 or so pages I was shocked at how easy I found this to read, and the extent to which I was enjoying it. Although, I wouldn't have found that to be the case if it wasn't for the excellent introduction and commentary at the back.
But then came the Classical Walpurgis Night in Act II, and everything suddenly went a bit crazy. I found myself buried in complicated poetry and references that I didn't understand, and flicking back and forth between the main text and the commentary. Furthermore, the story suddenly became a bit of a mess. It was jumping about all over the place, and not really making that much sense. By the end I felt that 'Faust Part II' couldn't have been any more different to 'Faust, Part I'. But, like the introduction said, this isn't a book that you read "to see what happens next", it's a book that you read for the poetry. With that said, I did actually really enjoy this book (when I could understand it, at least). However, it's not one to read purely for leisure.
But then came the Classical Walpurgis Night in Act II, and everything suddenly went a bit crazy. I found myself buried in complicated poetry and references that I didn't understand, and flicking back and forth between the main text and the commentary. Furthermore, the story suddenly became a bit of a mess. It was jumping about all over the place, and not really making that much sense. By the end I felt that 'Faust Part II' couldn't have been any more different to 'Faust, Part I'. But, like the introduction said, this isn't a book that you read "to see what happens next", it's a book that you read for the poetry. With that said, I did actually really enjoy this book (when I could understand it, at least). However, it's not one to read purely for leisure.
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