Turn these paragraphs into a casual email meant for a friend named Bowen curious about the Legend of Faust.

Faust or Faustus is a scholar who sells his soul to the Devil. Although fictional in literature, the legend is based on an astrologer and alchemist who lived in the area of northern Germany in the fifteenth century.

Trained in theology, he turns to magic and makes a perilous deal with the Devil in which he commits his soul to eternal damnation in return for power and knowledge in this life. But he is only human, and arrogant and reckless. Can Faust — or anyone — wield the powers of God or resist the temptations of the Devil?

The legend has inspired many great writers, musicians, and other artists. The earliest known published sources for the legend are the Wolfenbüttler manuscript dated about 1580-1587, and a printed chapbook (the Spies edition), intended for popular sale dated 1587. Two famous literary works on the Faust theme are Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe’s Faust.

While Goethe’s Faust has been called the definitive Faust, there is no one Faust story, instead, there are hundreds or thousands of variations on the theme in theatre, music, film, poetry, art, and literature including classics and favorites: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Picture of Dorian Grey, The Phantom of the Opera/Paradise, The Devil and Daniel Webster, Damn Yankees, The Little Shop of Horrors and many more.


Hey Bowen!

I found some information about the Legend of Faust you might be looking for. 

Faust, often called Faustus, is a scholar that made a deal with the devil in exchange for his soul. Although the literature is fictional, it's based on a German astrologer and alchemist from the fifteenth century. 

Turning away from theology, he becomes tempted by magic and makes a deal with the devil. Power and knowledge at the price of eternal damnation of his soul. The question at the core of this is: Is it possible for a human to hold the powers of God, yet resist the temptations of the Devil? 

The legend has grown large inspiring a range of great writers, musicians, and other artists throughout the years. The earliest known published sources for the legend are the Wolfenbüttler manuscript which was released around 1580-1587. As well as a printed chapbook in 1587 (the Spies edition) which was intended for popular sale.  

If you want two works that focus on these themes check out Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus and Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe's Faust. 

While many find Goethe's Faust to be the official one, there is no definitive story. There are thousands of variations that exist in theatre, music, film, poetry, and other literary works. 

Hopefully, this was able to help you out. 

Kind regards,
