Faust

 von Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. Faust. 1998. 503p. ISBN 9780385031141. 

Though medieval in origin, the tale of Faust is as old as time itself, with man seeking to escape the bonds meant to retain his humanity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe crafted a retelling of Faust on and off for over sixty years, with the final product published after his death in the early 1800s. In Goethe's story, Faust has reached the pinnacle of humanity, but is unable to exceed it. His knowledge is extraordinary, his power is great, and he enjoys life, but it is not satisfying. Faust's existential crisis attracts the attention of Mephistopheles, the German version of the Devil, who offers Faust a wager. Mephistopheles tells Faust he will provide him with every kind of experience imaginable in order to find the one that will satisfy him. If he fails, Faust will get to enjoy an even better life than before. But if he succeeds, and if Faust finds a moment in time where he is truly satisfied, he will lose his soul.

Scared of the bargain but eager to perhaps reach true happiness for the first time, Faust agrees to Mephistopheles's terms, and soon he experiences things beyond the comprehension of most humans. But none of these experiences satisfy him. Then he meets Gretchen, a young woman, and the lustful relationship takes Faust closest to being fully satisfied before Mephistopheles destroys the young woman and her family, causing Faust eternal grief. 

Still bound by his deal with Mephistopheles, Faust and the Devil travel through time, living in different eras. Faust cannot forget Gretchen, however, and though life can be sweet, it is nothing but the taste of ashes in his mouth, and Mephistopheles is nowhere close to collecting Faust's soul. Then Faust meets Helen of Troy, renowned beauty, Faust finally feels satisfied with his life. Mephistopheles attempts to collect Faust's soul, but God intervenes in Faust's favor following Gretchen's desperate pleading. Carried up to paradise, Faust is reunited with Gretchen, and Mephistopheles crawls back to Hell, having failed in his mission. Faust was thus saved by Gretchen and his eternal love for him.