歌德《浮士德》终场解释——兼谈文学形式、传统与政治守成

An Interpretation of the Final Scene in Goethe's Faust:A Concurrent Discussion on Literary Form,Tradition and Political Conservatism

歌德《浮士德》终场是一个解释难点。因其所采用的戏剧形式古旧,所涉知识驳杂,意象丰富,加之解读者所持立场不同,得出的结论也不尽相同。这里尝试从相对客观、因而也较易把握的形式入手,结合人物设置和情节内容,揭示终场如何上演浮士德的得救、灵魂升天和肉体复活。歌德对终场的处理就文学创作来讲不合时宜,但这恰好说明他有意识承继欧洲宗教和文学传统,在当时复辟的语境中,暴露出对旧秩序的守成,这与歌德具有保守倾向的政治思想一脉相承。

The final scene in Goethe＇s Faust is a challenge for interpreters. The reason lies in many aspects： the antiquated form of the scene,variety of knowledge involved,the richness of the images and symbols,and furthermore,being in different positions the readers may arrive at different conclusions. This paper attempts to start with an interpretation of the form of the last scene,in which way is more objective and therefore easier to approach. Then combined with the settings of characters and plot,the paper tries to reveal the course of Faust＇s salvation,soul ascension and physical resurrection. Goethe＇s treatment of the final scene is rather out-of-date in terms of literary form,which shows all the more that Goethe has an awareness of inheriting the traditions of European religion and literature. Within the context of the Restoration,the final scene appeals for political conservatism,which lies in accordance with Goethe＇s own conservative tendency in political issues.