ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Faust himself and to some of the textual matter which was added in later years. It illustrates a scene that was written at a time of crisis in Goethe's life, a crisis both personal and artistic, which was, if not entirely resolved, at least temporarily defused by his flight to Italy in 1786. 'Wald und Hohle' is both a record of the crisis and part of the attempt to find a way out. Because 'Wald und Hohle' was written over a decade later than the two scenes between which it is positioned and this results in some imperfect amalgamation of the various matter giving rise to something which a geologist— or critic— could think of as an unconformity or fault. Only the soaring mind, remembering the views of careful observers and 'fiery spirits', can envision the geological past, and soon Goethe has arrived at the era of creation itself.
