Drugs? No need. Goethe doesn't need them.

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Other writers may have been on drugs, but they have nothing on this guy ... and I do not think he was even on drugs.

I have been making notes of response as I go, so here goes my thought process.
This guy is crazy. From the Prologue in Heaven with God granting Mephistopheles permission to toll with Faust I drew my first impression of Goethe and his writing.

NIGHT When it comes to Faust's character, I have found myself in shock of his thoughts on numerous pages, especially when he claims to equal the spirit! His comment on preachers and actors really cracked me up. "Yes, whenever the preacher is also an actor, which may happen now and then." Shots fired at even some modern preachers here.

Yet, as much as Faust's character seems mentally ill at times, his words often dig deep into the hearts of readers. For example, "What you inherit from your father, earn it anew before you call it yours. What does not serve you is a heavy burden, what issues from the moment is alone of use." A few pages over begin the choir's singing "Heaven's tones", and Faust makes the comment, "O sounds of Heaven, do not fade away-the tears well up, the earth has me again!" Did anyone else break a little on the inside here?

BEFORE THE GATE What in the world is going on in these conversations? I honestly did not understand, but Faust's poodle comments only supported his craziness in my opinion.

FAUST'S STUDY Does anyone else see the quality of insanity of Faust's character when Mephistopheles is basically talking about death and Faust responds by telling him to get lost? That either takes guts, a lack of will to live, or some intense pride. I would conjure that he has a small portion of all three. Let us not forget that Mephistopheles came from behind the stove, and Faust thought he was the "magic" behind the poodle (or was he?). Finally, I honestly laughed at the final lines when Faust asks if he has been cheated once again (referring to the trickery of Mephistopheles).

This was definitely not very philosophical or anything, but wow at the read. I am intrigued.

PS I commented on Michael's and Zelda's posts:)

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