Synopsis

John Faustus has recently earned his Doctor of Divinity at the University of Wittenberg. He ponders what field he might pursue. Rejecting them one by one, he finally concludes that the magical arts will be his best pathway toward honor and power.

He is visited by his friends Cornelius and Valdes, who graduated before him and have been enticing him to follow them into the practice of magic and the occult. Valdes gives Faustus a book of magic, and they head off to begin instructing him.

Three of Faustus’ younger student friends are concerned about him and his association with Cornelius and Valdes. They encounter Wagner, Faustus’ student and servant. They are more typical of the wealthy students at the University and look down on Wagner, who refuses to tell them where Faustus is.

Faustus returns from his dinner with Cornelius and Valdes, eager to try out his newly acquired skills in magic. He successfully manages to summon the demon Mephistopheles to his study. He orders Mephistopheles to return to hell and bring an offer to Lucifer, the prince of all devils: unlimited power for 24 years in exchange for his soul.

Meanwhile, Wagner has copied Valdes’ book of magic and meets with two laborers, Robin and Rafe. She entices them to become her servants, offering them the power of her magic. She unwittingly manages to summon two devils to convince them.

Faustus returns to his study and conjures Mephistopheles back, who confirms that Lucifer is willing to strike the deal. The contract, however, must be written in Faustus’ blood. With the terms set, Mephistopheles and Faustus set out.

Robin enters, having stolen the magic book from Wagner, which she had copied from Faustus’ laptop. Despite not really being able to read or understand the book, she and Rafe venture off, ready to make mischief.

Faustus returns and is now having grave second thoughts. Lucifer, seeing that he might lose Faustus’ soul if he repents, appears and entices him with a display of the seven deadly sins. Faustus can indulge in all seven if he so wishes, and this proves too tantalizing for him to refuse. Faustus then sets out with Mephistopheles through time and space to enjoy all the trappings of his magical powers. They go back in time to torment a renaissance Pope whom Faustus dislikes, and, in a later scene, to the royal court of an Empress whom he deigns to impress.

Meanwhile, Robin and Rafe have stolen a very expensive gold goblet from a wine seller. He has chased them down and is demanding payment. Robin uses the magic book and accidentally brings Mephistopheles all the way from Constantinople. Enraged, she casts spells, turning them into animals.

Faustus’ time is quickly running out. He returns to Wittenberg, where he is visited by a horse seller who had arranged to purchase a horse from Faustus. He ends up playing a nasty joke on the horse seller, who runs off in terror. This is how Faustus has been making use of his limitless magical powers. He reflects on how he has squandered this opportunity on pleasure and self-indulgence.

Faustus gives Wagner his most prized possession: the magic book that he received from Lucifer. Mephistopheles sees this and sets his sights on conquering Wagner’s soul next.

The end is coming quickly for Faustus. He is visited again by his younger classmates, who implore him to use his powers to conjure Helen of Troy. He acquiesces, and, to their wonder and delight, she appears. As they exit, time continues to count down. Wagner appears and tries to convince Faustus to repent and save himself. Despite his desire to do so, Faustus appears helpless to act. Wagner, despite the temptation, rejects magic and the allure to which Faustus had succumbed.

Faustus, despite his desperate attempts to stave off the inevitable, is taken by Lucifer and Beelzebub to hell as time finally runs out.