Faust as an emancipated personality of the reformation era (based on the material of the German folk book “The story of Dr. Johann Faust”)

The article examines the German folk book “The Story of Dr. Johann Faust” as an example of medieval folklore about a warlock; reveals the relationship of the story of Faust with humanistic ideas and Protestant ideology; defines the civilizational significance of Faust as a symbol of active will in the culture of the 20th century; it is concluded that Faust is a type of humanistically emancipated person who has defied church dogmas and is ready to conclude a contract with the forces of the devil for the sake of his individual freedom.