Upon the publication of Goethe's epic drama, the Faustian legend had reached an almost unapproachable zenith. Although many failed to appreciate, or indeed, to understand this magnum opus in its entirety, from this point onward his drama was the rule by which all other Faust adaptations were measured. Goethe had eclipsed the earlier legends and became the undisputed authority on the subject of Faust in the eyes of the new Romantic generation. To deviate from his path would be nothing short of blasphemy.

While art thrives on the blazing colours of scandal, literature blossoms on the dark soil of tragedy.

The simple everyday experiences become the doorway to new thoughts and inspirations.

An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.

The gates of Hell are terrible to behold, are they not?

You know something is wrong when the government declares opening someone else's mail is a felony but your internet activity is fair game for data collecting.

It was only high school after all, definitely one of the most bizarre periods in a person's life. How anyone can come through that time well adjusted on any level is an absolute miracle.