Goethe was not only one of the most respected authors of German literature in the period of romanticism, he was also a dab hand at poetry, drama, theology, philosophy and science. Goethe was the originator of the concept of "World Literature" (Weltliteratur), having a huge interest in the literature of England, Italy, France, Persia and the Arabic spoken world. His most popular work (some say the most popular of all world literature titles) was the poetic tragedy Faust, which was written in two parts. It follows the story of God and Satan warring over Earth. To settle things they wager on the soul of Faust, a learned and prayerful alchemist. During a plague, Faust despairs and burns his books after reaching the limits to his knowledge and power. Satan then sends Mephistophles, a devil, to tempt Faust, first with insight into treating the plague and then with a day's return to youth. The story continues to follow Faust and his submission to temptation, his necessity to pursue redemption and imminently whether or not his soul would be redeemed or lost forever.