Doctor Faustus

I discovered an interesting fact this morning, concerning the original Dr. Johann Faustus of legend. Reputedly, he began his career as a schoolmaster in Kreuznach in 1507. Not long after, he was forced to flee on being accused of pederasty. Settling for a time in Nuremberg, Faustus became notorious as a "a great sodomite" and necromancer. 

The connection between homosexuality and the occult arts resurfaces from time to time, as with the Rev. C. W. Leadbeater, a major figure in Blavatsky's Theosophy. A young friend of mine reports that an older man is trying to seduce him by offering readings of his indigo aura.

Following the English-language version of the German chapbook, Christopher Marlowe includes several same-sex asides.  Goethe handled the matter differently, transferring the homosexuality to Mephisto, who towards the end of Part II falls into a lustful reverie about sexy boys - foolishly disregarding the actions of the good angels, who rescue Faust's soul.