These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
YMMV: Faust
Alternate Character Interpretation: Even in individual versions, there is considerable variation in how characters in the story are treated. Faust — driven to his bargain from love or suffering mankind, or looking for a cheap and easy way to lord it over others? Mephistopheles — Anti-Hero seeking to subvert God's injustice, or diabolical hater wanting to damn others to his own misery? Wagner? Gretchen? The Emperor? God? The variations are endless.
What an Idiot: Sure, I'll give up eternal happiness to be best buds with the Embodiment of Treachery and Pure Evil! Where do I sign?!
What do You Mean, It's Not Didactic?: Some authors (including Goethe!) have claimed that they had no basic message to convey in their versions of the story.
