Faust Analysis

In the Norton Anthology translation of Faust and in the Norton Critical Edition of Faust, the differences in translation and the impact it has on the reader’s interpretation is quite evident. Pointing our focus directly on the Dungeon scene of Faust, or the final scene of Part 1, the differences in translation can be seen through Gretchen and Faust and the discussions between them. In the Norton Critical Edition, the final scene of Part I’s translation seemed to be a lot more lyrical, less scholarly, and more romantic in nature in comparison to the Norton Anthology translation of the Dungeon scene with Gretchen and Faust. In the Norton Critical Edition translation of the final scene of Part 1, there were many instances in which the translation …show more content…
In the Norton Anthology, it seemed to be more common for the writing to appeal to the commonsensical side of the reader for it was written in a more abrupt, blunt, and straightforward way. For example, in the Norton Anthology Gretchen and Faust are conversing with Faust telling Gretchen to leave her dungeon cell. They say to each other, “Outside there?”…”Into the air!”. (564: 136- 137)While in the Norton Critical Edition their dialogue is translated to,” Out where?...” To freedom.”(131: 4537-4538) It can be seen in the Norton Anthology translation the interpretation by the reader is a lot more logical for the translation itself is a lot more straightforward as well. When Gretchen asks where, Faust replies with a logical response of, “In the air!” or in other words outside the prison. In the Norton Critical edition, when Gretchen asks where, Faust replies with a more emotional response, “To Freedom.” It can be seen that the translation in the Norton Critical Edition is a lot more written towards the emotional side of the reader because it is a lot more dramatized in tone and writing. In contrast the Norton Anthology is more straightforward with a more logical and erudite tone and writing. Another example in which the Norton Critical Edition was less academic in writing is when Gretchen embraces Faust and states, “Oh no-your lips are cold, are clay”. (130: 4493- 4494)This is more metaphorical in nature and appeals to the emotional side of the reader by comparing the lips to clay which allows the reader to develop a more imaginative side while reading. In contrast, in the Norton Anthology it states, “Oh your lips are cold as stone! And dumb!” (563: 91- 92) Here the translator uses the word dumb to describe the way Faust’s lips felt. The word dumb is more scholarly in tone in comparison to the word clay in which one must personify and