THE FIGURE OF THE HOMUNCULUS IN THE ENLIGHTENMENT LABORATORY: FAILED EXPERIMENT OR EMBODIMENT OF THE ETERNAL STRIVE TO BE

Abstract

The present paper examines the figure of the Homunculus and its literal and allegorical perceptions in the famous Goethe's tragedy “Faust”. In general, it focuses on two of the most important interpretations of the figure: Homunculus as an artificial creature – emanation of the scientific experiment, and as holder of the spark, which gives life and is aimed at the eternal beyond. The text pays particular attention to the figure of Mephisto, who is strongly associated with the creation of the Homunculus, as well as to the figure of Galatea, who helps the artificial creature to “reborn” for a new life. Some other key figures compared to that of the Homunculus are those of Wagner, Faust and Euphorion. In addition, the present research traces the integration of some conceptions and ideas from several different eras – from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment to Romanticism, and all that through the figure of the Homunculus.