Philosophy
G. Tevzadze. Kant and Fichte in Goethe's "Faust". - Tbilisi: Metsniereba - 2002 - 24 p. - Bibl. 49 - in Georgian and German.
The author analyses the second part of "Faust", where Mephistopheles clad in Faust's fur-coat are conversing with a newly made impudent Bachelor (a shy disciple in the I part of "Faust"). It was considered that the prototype of Bachelor is I.G. Fichte. Goethe denied this point of view.
On the basis of the last year analysis of the German cultural environment of the 18 c. is shown that in the above-mentioned dialogue two layers of "Faust" can be seen: the upper layer continues the dialogue of the I part, between the disciple and Mephistopheles (that bachelor thinks to be Faust), and the other, the deep layer depicts Kant - Fichte's teacher is presented as Mephistopheles disguised as Faust. Goethe was well acquainted with the works of both and with their personal relations as well.
It is shown that the words of this part of "Faust" about "many moons and several suns" acquires meaning only after considering Fichte's work - "Appeal to the society" (1799) and Kant's attitude to it. Goethe shared Kant's appraisal.
Not taking into consideration the above-mentioned was the reason of misunderstending of this scene by translators of Goethe and his commentators as well: B. Taylor (1879), A. Swanwick (1900), A.A. Kopf (1941), D. Luke (1994) the English translators. B. Pasternak (1978) - the Russian. D. Onashvili (1932) - the Georgian. The article also explains why Goethe did nit wish to acknowledge Fichte as a prototype of Buchelor.