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Classic lovers will probably murder me for giving this a two star. The writting is awesome and if you like old stories written in poetic verses that go on lengthy description about nature and magical creatures this is for you. This is a five star quality work but gets two stars because it was mostly about Helen of Troy and less about Faust. This should have be re-named Helen of Troy meets some guy named Faust. Seriously, like over two hundred pages just describing the cliffs and walls and courtly architecture of the life of Helen of Troy. Just when you get into this spooky underworld powers that Faust thinks to wield, it cut backs to Helen of Troy and how beautiful she is -most of the story was about her beauty. Also, how does anyone get off calling this a tradegy? Did they read to the end? (Or have most people dropped off after hearing about Helen of Troy for the hundreth time.)Yes Faust dies, but he gets saved by like the Virgin Mary and other female saints. Last I checked his soul is being carried into heaven instead of down to hell like it should have been had his deal with Mephistopheles not been fought over by angels.
Speaking of Mephistopheles, he's the best character anywhere. I can see why he is considered the most humours character in classic German literature.
What I did learn was that considering how long ago this book was written people haven't changed at all: All the struggles of academic students, the lives of the working class, the attitudes they express, same as now.
The Urfaust part of this was better because it was about Faust and not Helen of Troy.