The classic German legend Faust describes a protagonist who is a highly successful, though dissatisfied scholar who strikes up a deal with the devil. The offer: One Human Soul in exchange for unlimited knowledge and earthly delights. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832), whose masterpiece has defined the legend, has Faust become a dissatisfied intellectual who yearns for "more than earthly meat and drink". It is a tragic play in two parts, and is Goethe's most famous work - perhaps the greatest work of German Literature. Each reader will come way from Faust with something different, yet the exact thing they were looking for, because each type of person is reflected in the story's character. Goethe finished Part One in 1806, and Part Two in 1832, which was the year of his death. The two parts differ widely: the fist is all about the soul of man, while the second details psychology, history, myth and philosophy -concepts that occupied Goethe during his final decade, so they're reflected in the book. Also, as Faust has already given up his soul in part one, these are the courses a mind with unlimited power take. Part One should be required reading, while Part Two, because it's not strictly a sequel, may be read at will. However It is helpful to know some of Greek Mythology. Geothe died before he was able to trim Part II as he had planned, and it appeared posthumously in 1832.