Mephastophilis demands that Faustus certify the agreement with a deed of gift written in Faustus' own blood. Mephastophilis returns and Faustus questions him about hell before officially agreeing to his deal with Lucifer. Faustus renews his resolve to give his soul to Lucifer. As he debates repenting and turning back to God, the two angels appear again and try to persuade Faustus in their respective directions. In his study, Faustus begins to hesitate about the deal he has proposed with Lucifer. Meanwhile, Wagner finds a clown and persuades him to be his servant, promising to teach him some magic in return. Mephastophilis goes to Lucifer, and Faustus thinks that he has made a good deal. Faustus asks him questions about hell and its devils, and then tells Mephastophilis to bring an offer to Lucifer: he will give his soul to Lucifer, on the condition that he gets 24 years of unlimited power and knowledge, with Mephastophilis as his willing servant. Faustus orders Mephastophilis to do his bidding, but Mephastophilis informs him that he can do nothing that is not commanded by Lucifer. Wagner tells them that Faustus is with Valdes and Cornelius, and the two scholars lament Faustus' interest in magic.įaustus begins conjuring, and summons up a devil named Mephastophilis. Two scholars, who know of Faustus for his reputation as a scholar, wonder what he is up to and, running into Wagner, ask him. Valdes and Cornelius give Faustus spell-books and Faustus is excited to begin casting spells and summoning spirits. The Good Angel tries to convince Faustus not to pursue unholy magic, but the Evil Angel encourages him to delve into sorcery. Two angels (a Good Angel and an Evil Angel) appear. Feeling that he has reached the ends of all traditional studies, he decides to pursue magic, and has his servant Wagner bring him Valdes and Cornelius, two men who can teach him how to perform magic incantations.

Doctor Faustus is a scholar living in Wittenberg, Germany.

The tragical history of dr faustus