Pan Twardowski – The Man Who Sold His Soul To The Devil In Exchange For Special Powers

Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – There are stories about people who will do anything to gain special powers in folklore, myths, and legends.

Those who sell their soul to the Devil in reward for something special often meet a tragic fate. This was the case with the sorcerer and magician Pan Twardowski who made a pact with dark forces, which he regretted later. Pan Twardowski (which means Mr. Twardowski in Polish) is a person one can read about in Polish folklore books.

Pan Twardowski and the devil. Drawing by Michal Elwiro Andriolli. Credit: Public Domain

There are several versions of the Pan Twardowski tale and scholar suggests his story bears a striking resemblance to the German story of Faust. Those familiar with the tragic Faust play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe will remember the man’s desire to acquire knowledge. Feeling despair over his life, Faust summoned spirits, and his journey with the Devil got him in unexpected trouble. Feeling disappointed in what natural science had to offer, Faust turned to magical means to understand the secrets of nature and the Universe.

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