Summary While the Lemures bury Faust, Mephisto and a horde of devils wait to take his soul into custody. Suddenly the heavens open and a host of angels appear. They strew the grave with rose petals and the air is filled with the sound of their singing. Mephisto argues with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Burial SceneSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: The Great Outer-Court of the Palace
Summary A gang of Lemures (a species of monkey, but also a name for a type of ghost) under the supervision of Mephistopheles works at digging Faust’s grave. The blind Faust comes out and overhears the sound of their shovels. He thinks that they are continuing the work on his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: The Great Outer-Court of the PalaceSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Midnight
Summary Immediately afterwards, while alone in his room, Faust is accosted by four grey hags who have risen from the smoke of the burning cottage. They are Want, Debt, Distress, and Care. The first three cannot reach him, but he is unable to resist Care, who warns him of the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: MidnightSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Deep Night
Summary Faust learns to his sorrow that Mephisto and the Three Mighty Men have carried out his orders with more violence than he intended. Philemon and Baucis and their wanderer friend have been killed, and the house and orchard which Faust coveted have been burned. Faust is overcome by remorse […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Deep NightSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Palace
Summary Faust, now more than one hundred years old, broods in his palace garden about his failure to acquire the old couple’s house and orchard. Mephisto and the Three Mighty Men return from a pirating expedition and land at the new port that Faust has built. They report the success […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: PalaceSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Open Country
Summary Faust’s project, though not yet completed, has been successful. Philemon and Baucis, an old couple who live in the area, tell a wandering stranger about Faust’s amazing achievements. It is also revealed that Faust is determined to own all the land in the region. They have refused to sell […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act V: Open CountrySummary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: The Rival Emperor’s Tent
Summary After the battle the Emperor’s troops carry off booty from the defeated enemy’s camp. The Emperor and his courtiers enter his former rival’s tent, and the sovereign distributes rewards to his loyal followers. The Emperor and the Archbishop argue about the morality of accepting diabolical help in the battle […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: The Rival Emperor’s TentSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: Mountain Foothills
Summary The Emperor and his officers are in their headquarters discussing their dangerous position. Just as the Emperor turns the command of the army over to a more competent aide, Faust enters the royal tent and offers his assistance. He promises to help win the battle with the aid of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: Mountain FoothillsSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: Mountain Heights
Summary Faust still has a vague image of Helen in his mind as he gazes about at the jagged mountains among which he finds himself. Mephisto enters and engages in a lecture on the origin of mountains with which Faust disagrees. Mephisto tries to tempt Faust with another offer of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act IV: Mountain HeightsSummary and Analysis Part 2: Act III: Arcadia
Summary The women of the chorus lie at rest in a peaceful green meadow. Phorkyas enters and reports to them about the wondrous things that have just taken place in the secluded bower where the lovers Faust and Helen have hidden themselves. A son, Euphorion, has been born to them. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Act III: Arcadia