This work is a powerful and astute examination of the connection between magic in literature and magic in history. It traces the evolution of the Faust tradition and its relationship to the practice of magic in European history. Written by one of the most distinguished scholars in the field of German literature, this book, first published in 1952, is a classic text. Butler follows the magic tradition of the Magus--the priest-king--and its reformulation in the Christian world. In the process, the Magus was transformed into a wicked sorcerer who comes to a bad end in this world and a worse one hereafter. This conception, which gained ground in the Middle Ages, received its most categorical statement in the Faust legend.The celebrated pact between Faust and the devil was in fact an invention of Christian mythologists who had interpreted occult rituals in accordance with the Christian belief that magicians were the servants of Satan. Occultists replied by denying the pact with the devil and by associating Faust with ritual magic traditions. Butler draws on her detailed knowledge of literature, religion, and history to produce an authoritative synthesis that all those interested in the development of mythology will find indispensable.
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About the Author
Elizabeth M. Butler (1885-1959) was Schroder Professor of German at the University of Cambridge.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Fortunes of Faust,
By L. J. Frank (Manlius, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Fortunes of Faust (Magic in History Series) (Paperback)
The Fortunes of Faust is the third in a series of works on the evolution of the Faust tradition. As a librarian who is an avid reader and collector of Faustian lore and works written about this "historical character," I have found in Ms. Butler's work a most provocative and scholarly study. Her writing style is clear and studied. She takes the readers through the evolution of the Faust tradition and its roots in the practice of magic. Ms. Butler provides details that even this student of Faust found informative - whether it is her insights about the Spiess' Urfaustbook and the German Faust,thoughts on Martin Luther, the variety of hybrid and miscellaneous Fausts up through Goethe's Faust among others. The author views Marlowe's Fautus "the greatest of all the tragic versions the legend has inspired." The Fortunes of Faust is a compelling drama of the role of magic in history through the character of Faust. This is a fascinating read especially for anyone with an interest in the Faust legend
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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tragical history, ritual magic, magia naturalis, second pact, seventh spirit, opening monologue Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Goethe's Faust, Doctor Faustus, Thomas Mann, Don Juan, Earth Spirit, Auerbach's Cellar, Hans Wurst, English Faustbook, Woodland Cavern, Bayard Taylor, Fausts Leben, Miss Sara Sampson, Helen of Troy, Lenau's Faust, Justus Faustus, Black Books, Duke of Parma, Adrian Leverkühn, Johann Faust, Doktor Faustus, Frau Marthe, Lessing's Faust, Faust's Life, Hans Sachs, Widman's Faustbook Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
tragical history, ritual magic, magia naturalis, second pact, seventh spirit, opening monologue Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Goethe's Faust, Doctor Faustus, Thomas Mann, Don Juan, Earth Spirit, Auerbach's Cellar, Hans Wurst, English Faustbook, Woodland Cavern, Bayard Taylor, Fausts Leben, Miss Sara Sampson, Helen of Troy, Lenau's Faust, Justus Faustus, Black Books, Duke of Parma, Adrian Leverkühn, Johann Faust, Doktor Faustus, Frau Marthe, Lessing's Faust, Faust's Life, Hans Sachs, Widman's Faustbook Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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