Faust

One of the world-poems, generally thought Goethe's master-piece. Part I., 1805, is based on the Faust legend, pub. 1587, and previously dramatized by Marlowe and Calderon. Goethe's treatment of the theme differs e entially from that of these poets, being symbolical, while theirs is more or le literal. Part II., 1830, is generally deemed inferior to the first, though accomplished critics have given it nearly equal place.