CHRONOLOGY OF THE COMPOSITION OF FAUST
[Dates in square brackets are those of publication.]
1771–1772 |
Simultaneous interest in Götz von Berlichingen and in the puppet-play hero (cf. Dichtung und Wahrheit, Book X [1812] and Book XII [1814]). |
1773–1775 |
“Urfaust.” [‘The King in Thule,’ 1782; Faust. A Fragment, 1790 (about 1600 verses correspond to “Urfaust” passages); the subsequently discarded scene ‘A Highway,” 1794; Goethe’s Faust in ursprünglicher Gestalt, 1887.] |
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Cf. Faust, v. 354–605; 1868–2050; 2073–2336—here followed by ‘A Highway’ (4 verses); 2608–3216; 3374–3619; 3776–3834; 3620–59; 3342–69; ‘An Expanse of Open Country’; 4399–4612. |
1787–1790 |
Faust. A Fragment [1790]. |
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Cf. Faust, v. 354–605; 1770–1867;* 1868–2050 (1882–95, 1904–10, 1964–2000); 2051–72; 2073–2336 (2095ff., 2015–8, 2120–3, 2161–78, 2181–8, 2270–3, 2284–9, 2313–5, 2324f., 2331, 2336); 2337–2604; 2605–3261; 3374–3586; 3217–3341, 3370–73; 3587–3619; 3776–3834. |
1797–1801 |
Faust I [1808]. (New are v. 1–353; 598–601, 606–1769; 2366–77; 3290–3; 3835–4334; 4343–98; some 50 verses in the scene ‘Prison’—4405–4612—without equivalents in the prose of “Urfaust.” |
1800–1801 |
Faust II begun. ‘Helen in the Middle Ages’ [1888].—Cf. Faust, v. 8489–8802. Act I, first two scenes (v. 4613-c.5064). Act V, Faust’s death (v. 11,151–c. 11,603, passim). |
1816 |
Résumé of Acts I, III, and IV, originally meant for inclusion in Dichtung und Wahrheit [1888]. |
1825f. |
Helen. Classico-Romantic Phantasmagoria. A Faust Intermezzo [1827]. |
1827f. |
Act IV begun (v. 10,039–66), and Act I continued (text of v. 4613–6036 in definitive form). |
1828 |
Opening scenes of Act II (v. 6566–7004).—Faust II, v. 4613–6036, published as a continuation of Faust I (to which v. 4335–42 are added). |
1829f. |
Act I completed (i.e., final revision of v. 6037–6565). |
1830 |
‘Classical Walpurgisnight’ (v. 7005–8487). |
1830f. |
Act V completed (v. 11,043–142; c. 11,604–12,111). |
1831 |
Act IV completed (v. 10,067–11,042) and, after final revision, the manuscript of Faust II sealed for posthumous publication. |
1832 |
Faust II [1833] posthumously printed. |
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*Newly written or extensively revised passages in Faust. A Fragment and Faust I are indicated by italic verse-numbers.