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In the play "Faust" by Johann Goethe, Gretchen's character envelops extreme aspects of Virgin Mary and of Eve. Mary acts as the symbol of the mother of mankind, the pure woman who makes men's salvation possible. She has no evil in her at all. In contrast, Eve is t ....

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.... her virtue. He calls her an "innocent, sweet dear!" (3007). Goethe further identifies Gretchen as a saint when Gretchen's bedroom becomes a shrine to Faust. Faust uses religious language to describe the room. "Welcome, sweet light, which weaves through this sanctuary. Seize my heart, you sweet pain of love, you that live languishing on the dew of hope! How the feeling of stillness breathes out order and contentment all around. In this poverty, what fullness! In this prison, what holiness!" (2687-94) Just from being in her room, he feels spiritual sacredness, often associated with shrines of saints. He imagines her bed as a "father's throne"(2696) wit ....