This work analyzes the theme of the Eternal Feminine and its significance within Goethe`s famous drama Faust. The first chapter delineates and explores the various rich definitions of the Eternal Feminine found in the realms of theology, philosophy, and literature. The chapter concludes with the assertion that although the definitions of the Eternal Feminine are myriad and complex and that there is no one clear definition, that a careful inspection of these definitions allows one to ascribe to the concept of the Eternal Feminine certain characteristics. Thus, the Eternal Feminine is Beauty, Truth, Good, Love. The second chapter addresses in detail the theme of evil as represented in Faust with the purpose to show that the Goethe`s Eternal Feminine is a form of salvation and therefore cannot be understood without a discussion of the theme of evil to which it acts as an antidote. The chapter proceeds with the analysis of the role of the Eternal Masculine or the Father Figure as represented in Faust and its relation to the Eternal Feminine in the drama. The third chapter focuses on the various representations of the Eternal Feminine in Faust (as the Perfect World of Platonic Ideals (Eros), as the Indian Feminine Goddess, the Fruitful Mother Nature, and the Sublimated Sexual Energy). Finally, the Platonic and Pagan elements in Goethe`s idea of the Eternal Feminine are examined and contrasted with the Christian idea of salvation. A conclusion is asserted that Goethe`s Salvation via Eternal Feminine is the return to the pre-Christian search for life`s meaning and redemption from suffering and evil. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Spring Semester, 2012. / March 15, 2012. / Eternal, Faust, Feminine, Goethe / Includes bibliographical references. / Christian Weber, Professor Directing Thesis; Birgit Maier-Katkin, Committee Member; Reinier Leushuis, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_183043 |
| Contributors | O'Brien, Elena P. (authoraut), Weber, Christian (professor directing thesis), Maier-Katkin, Birgit (committee member), Leushuis, Reinier (committee member), Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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