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| (Faust's Mephistopheles) |
Ostensibly, Marlowe’s Dr.
Faustus sold his soul for a
superhuman type of knowledge
that could puff up his all-too-human pride. Once that occurred, all the good intentions in (and out) of
the world only served to pave his road to Hell a little
farther. Stern Calvinists have been noting for centuries (perhaps
a bit too gleefully) that Marlowe’s fatalistic theme
fits right in with their doctrine of predestination (i.e., some be saved - and the rest be damned).
Goethe’s Faust makes out
somewhat better since his quest for knowledge was
based more upon a mystical yearning than upon hubris. Not only is his beloved Gretchen “saved” (at least
in the later revised version of Faust Part One), but Faust himself ultimately goes to Heaven at the end of Part Two. The Devil and his good (bad?) buddy,
Mephistopheles, have obviously been softening over the years.
However, a little dealing
through eBay might soon accomplish what centuries of
literary genius could not – and that is the complete
makeover of the Mephistopheles “brand.” No longer flying the unfriendly skies,
Mephistopheles is now humbly disguised as everyone’s best
buy. The
Christian Post reported that bids
began at $2,000 for the opportunity to “save the
soul” of a distraught New Mexico woman who admits
to being near the end of her rope.
You can bet that
Mephistopheles is hanging right there with her, even
though not specifically mentioned by name in this eBay
listing.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles
http://www.christianpost.com/news/woman-sells-soul-on-ebay-hopes-to-deliver-opportunity-for-salvation-77689/
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