Commentary Against Absurdity in Faust Goethe's "Faust" could be called a comedy as much as it is subtitled "A tragedy". Throughout the work, the author finds comical or ironic ways to mock or punish religionists, atheists, demons, and deities. Despite the obvious differences between these, Goethe unites them all through the common thread of ego and ridicule. Therefore, the work as a whole becomes more of a commentary against absurdity than against religion. The first victims of satire in Faust are Satan and God, who appear in a rather reduced form in an opening scene parallel to the Book of Job. In Goethe's Paradise, "The Lord" reigns, to whom a trio of archangels attributes creation. Mephistopheles enters and all semblance of seriousness disappears. Presented as a demon, and probably THE Devil, he is witty, cynical, and generally a caricature of what religionists over the centuries have labeled pure evil. The Lord proceeds to give Mephistopheles permission to go to his "good servant" Faust,...