In the following comic scenes, the appearance of a devil is accompanied by the explosion of firecrackers. According to the amount of stage machinery available, the appearance of Mephistophilis could be accompanied by dreadful noises, bursts of lightning, smoke, or any combination of the above. The mere fact that a man abjures the trinity and invokes the powers of hell carries an awesome significance. The incantation, the abjuring of the trinity, and the spectacle of the sudden appearance of a horrible looking devil on the stage are very effective dramatically. In this scene, Faustus takes the first definite and inexorable steps toward his own damnation as he abjures the trinity and appeals to the black powers of hell. After Mephistophilis leaves, Faustus dreams of all the glorious deeds he will perform with his new power. Faustus chides Mephistophilis for being so passionate about being deprived of the joys of heaven, and then sends him back to Lucifer with the proposal that Faustus will exchange his soul for twenty-four years of unlimited power. When Faustus begins to inquire about the nature of hell, Mephistophilis answers that hell is wherever God is not present. As soon as Mephistophilis reappears, Faustus finds that it is not his conjuration which brings forth a devil a devil will appear any time that a person abjures the name of the trinity.įaustus asks Mephistophilis several questions about Lucifer and learns that he is a fallen angel who, because of pride and insolence, revolted against God and was cast into hell. Faustus is elated that he has the power to call up this devil.
He demands that Mephistophilis disappear and return in the shape of a Franciscan friar. Mephistophilis then appears in a hideous shape, and Faustus tells him that he is too ugly. He mutters a long passage in Latin which is composed of passages abjuring the trinity and invoking the aid of the powers of the underworld. Faustus decides to try incantation for the first time.
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