I recently saw the movie Elvis which is the wonderful depiction of the life of Elvis Presley as envisioned by Baz Luhrmann. There are many things which are commendable about this movie including the performances by Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker and Austin Butler as Elvis (no second name required in the title or the cultural). A few days after seeing the movie it came to me that what is portrayed is the legend of Dr. Faustus.
The story
of Dr. Faustus originated in 15th century Germany, purportedly based
on an historical person, Johann Georg Faust
. The story has been the basis for many versions over the centuries, in
art, literature and plays. In modern times, versions of the story have
been told such notables as Goethe, Thomas Mann, and Christopher Marlow.
Intentionally or not, the story influenced the movie, Elvis.
The story
of Faust, in outline, tells of the misadventures of a successful German scholar
who is dissatisfied with achievements even thought he is distinguished in many
areas of academic life including medicine, law and religion. He
determines that he wants to succeed in the practice of the black arts i.e.,
magic. Faustus calls upon the Lord of Darkness and in doing so summons up
Mephistopheles, one of the Devil’s servants. He bargains with
Mephistopheles and strikes a bargain that if Mephistopheles will serve him, the
Devil will claim his soul after a set number of years - twenty-four in some
versions. Faustus has all that he desires for the time allocated, even
summoning up the figure of Helen of Troy and generally causing mischief and
mayhem. As the end of the allotted time draws near Faustus believes that
he is irreparably lost and his soul is claimed by the Devil. It is
interesting that in Goethe’s version he is forgiven through the intercessions
of one of his victims.
Turning to
the movie, Elvis, there are some details that do not fit the legend.
Elvis was not a successful person when the tempter arrives in his life.
However, the story is told through the eyes of Colonel Parker who is portrayed
as an evil genius who guarantees Elvis the success and fame that he desires and
which he delivers. Elvis has opportunities to redeem his life (and soul)
but Mephistopheles aka Col. Parker manages to ensure that Elvis is successful
beyond his dreams at the ultimate cost of his soul. Col. Parker ensures
that the Devil claims his due gaining everything that he seeks i.e., the means
to engage in the endless ‘games’ of chance that are the foundation of the Las
Vegas enterprise. Elvis spends his final days, captive in the hell on
earth of the venue of the eternal Las Vegas Concerts, being denied his dream of
seeing and engaging the larger musical world.
The legend
and the movie present the archetypal story of the person who sells his soul to
the Devil for the material things of this world. This was one of the
temptations of Jesus in his time in the wilderness when Satan offered Jesus all
the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down and worship him. What
does it profit someone to gain the world but lose his soul?
The world
seems to abound in many incarnations of Mephistopheles in many manifestations
today. Perhaps no more than in previous times, but that we are only more
aware of it. Is there a Mephistopheles in your life who is offering you
the world only demanding your soul - something that many people do not believe
they possess? As Bob Dylan said, “you gotta serve somebody. It may
be the devil or it may be the Lord but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”
If you face
your Mephistopheles on our journey, may you be blessed to choose life.
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