His intention is quite clear: “Man’s active nature, flagging, seeks too soon the level; Unqualified repose he learns to crave, Whence, willingly, the comrade him I gave, Who works, excites, and must create, as Devil.”
在著名戏剧《浮士德》中，歌德让神将恶魔（墨菲斯托，意为诱惑者）派往人间，振奋精神。他的意图相当明确：“人们的精神总是易于弛靡，动辄贪爱着绝对的安静；我因此创造出恶魔，以激发人们的努力为能。”