Wagner

He represents a desk scholar for whom there is only book knowledge. It is the latter that should reveal an essence of being and the secrets of nature. In the tragedy of Goethe, Wagner is the opposite of Faust, striving to comprehend the meaning of existence through active participation in it. In the first part of the plot, the hero acts as an assistant to a famous doctor. He first appears in the scene “Night” where the dialogue between colleagues already demonstrates the opposite of their aspirations.

Behind Wagner's figure, a certain mental movement is recognized, going back to the Renaissance and aiming at expanding the horizons of science. The dominant efforts were given to ancient languages, writings of Greek authors and rhetoric but not to attempts to penetrate the world of real entities and phenomena that attract Faust so much he is even ready to use the magic means. The typical representative of the humanistic orientation for the sake of science itself was Erasmus of Rotterdam. Wagner also shows adherence to these principles. He studies rhetoric and considers it necessary to learn the art of recitation from the actors.

Contrast mapping of Wagner and Faust continued in the scene “At the gate.” Pictures of nature, sunset and sunrise delight the doctor, he is full of the rush to the new, whereas for his ward such speeches are just a whim and inappropriate quirks. In the second act, Wagner was ironically characterized by Mephistopheles as a renowned scientist with a doctorate and his own assistant student. The subject of his investigations is the creation of an artificial human Homunculus, who is accompanying Faust in his search for the path to the beautiful. The homunculus breaks and perishes, while Faust finds Helena revived to life.