to keep prodding man into action.
Faust is a very learned professor, who, however, is dissatisfied
with human knowledge, which by its nature is limited. Using magic,
he conjures up the Earth Spirit in his darkened study. Regarding
himself as more than mortal, he tries to claim the Earth Spirit as a
colleague, but the Spirit rejects him scornfully and disappears.
Despairing, Faust contemplates suicide. He is saved by the sound of
the bells welcoming Easter morning. He and his research assistant,
Wagner, go out into the sunlight and enjoy the greetings of the
crowd, which remembers the medical attention given to the people by
Faust and his father. Faust is still depressed, denying the value of
medicine and feeling torn between the two souls in him, one longing
for earthly pleasures, the other seeking the highest spiritual
knowledge. A dog follows Faust and Wagner home.
Back in his study, Faust tries to translate the Gospel of St. John,
while the dog becomes restless. Eventually, the animal changes shape
so monstrously that Faust realizes he is dealing with the Devil.
Presto! There is Mephistopheles!
At this first meeting, Mephistopheles introduces himself and his
powers to Faust; then he tricks Faust into sleeping so that he can
leave. When he returns, magnificently dressed, Mephistopheles makes
a bet with Faust. He agrees to do anything Faust wants, but if Faust
ever says that he is totally satisfied, that the moment is so
perfect he wants time to stop, then he will die and Mephistopheles
will have his soul. They sign their pact in blood.
Mephistopheles tries to please his "master." He takes him to a
Witch's Kitchen, where Faust is magically transformed into a young
man. When Faust meets Margarete--called Gretchen, the shortened
version of her name--walking in the street, he is consumed with
passion for her and orders Mephistopheles to arrange for him to
possess her immediately.
Mephistopheles, who has more sense than his master about how to
conduct love affairs, takes Faust into Gretchen's room while she is
absent. They leave a casket of jewels, but Gretchen's mother, when
it is found, insists that it be given to the Church. Mephistopheles
then leaves a second present of jewelry, which Gretchen this time
conceals at a neighbor's house.
From that point Gretchen is doomed. Faust seduces her and makes her
pregnant. When Gretchen's brother, Valentine, intervenes, cursing
her as a whore, Mephistopheles, with Faust at his side, kills
Valentine.
Mephistopheles takes Faust off to a witches' celebration, Walpurgis
Night, on top of a mountain, where at first Faust is fascinated by
