rough the art of conjuring spirits, commenting, A sound magician is a mighty God (Ribner 7). The human lust for power has reached a new height in Faustus, and to attain what he desires, the easiest means are demonic. On his way to making the decision to enlist infernal forces in his quest for power, Faustus is prodded by friends, Valdes and Cornelius, themselves skilled practitioners of the dark arts, and Faustus fast finds himself in a regrettable position. Despite this peer pressure, a fact that may not be neglected is the fact that Faustus makes the choice to conjure of his own free will, and must deal with the results himself.In his ignorance of conjuring, he conjures up the demon Mephistophilis, expecting to be able to command the demon at his will. Mephistophilis, however, informs him that he is only a servant to Lucifer, and may not follow thee without his leave(Ribner 11). To be served by Mephistophilis, Faustus is informed, he must give his soul for an eternity of damnation to Lucifer. Faustus questions this, stating the fact that Lucifer had once been an angel himself, and questioning how this came to be. Mephistophilis replies: O, by aspiring pride and insolence/For which God threw him from the face of heaven (Ribner 12). Faustus, however, does not heed this or any other of Mephistophilis warnings, and continues on his path, even after the protest of his own blood gives, freezing in Faustus very veins while he attempts to sign a contract giving his soul to Lucifer (Brockbank 116). Faustus is not deterred, and commits his soul to Lucifer for all eternity, in exchange for twenty-four years of service from Mephistophilis. He begins to have doubts shortly before signing the pact, however, and asks that Mephistophilis to tell him of hell.Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it/O, Faustus, leave these frivolous demands. (Ribner 12). After the contract is in place, however, Mephistophilis begins to entertain him, providing him with w...
