Synopsis - faust

Act I
The aged philosopher, Faust, sits in his den contemplating the meaning of life. He becomes saddened by the lack of progress he feels he has made in his life, and by his lost youth. He hears young women outside meeting with young men, and he feels bitter. He curses life, and decides to commit suicide, but cannot follow through. He calls on Satan to help him.

In a flash of smoke, Mephistopheles enters, offering Faust wealth and power. Faust says he wants neither - what he truly desires is youth.  Mephistopheles agrees to give him this, and asks Faust to sign away his soul with a pen dipped in blood. Faust hesitates at first. Satan then reveals an image of the beautiful Margeurite to which Faust exclaims, “O merveille!” (A miracle!). Faust immediately signs the parchment, and drinks the cup of wine offered by the devil. His overcoat falls to the ground, and his aged features are replaced by those of a youthful and handsome man.  Faust and Mephistopheles depart together.

Act II
A fair is underway in the square, and the villagers are drinking, singing and dancing.  Valentin, who is about to go off to war, expresses his angst about having to leave his sister Margeuerite alone. Siebel vows to watch over her in his absence.

Mephistopheles then enters the scene abruptly. He begins to read the palms of the people around him, and predicts that everything Siebel touches will wilt. Mephistopheles, after miraculously causing wine to flow, fills his glass and makes a toast to Marguerite.  Valentin is angered by this, unsheathes his sword, and stabs at Mephistopheles. His sword breaks, and Mephistopheles laughs at his opponent’s attempt. Valentin quickly realizes who his opponent is, and uses the broken pieces of his sword to create a crucifix; the other men follow his lead. Mephistophles quickly stops laughing and, squirming, flees. 

The crowd then gathers for a dance. Among the crowd, Faust appears and offers Marguerite his arm. She refuses, though she is very much intrigued by this handsome stranger.  

Act III
In the garden, Siebel attempts to pick flowers for Marguerite; but, just as Mephistopheles predicted, they wilt in his hands. Siebel then dips his fingers into holy water, and with this the curse is lifted. He picks flowers once again for Marguerite and leaves them on her door step as a gift, and a sign of his affection.

Mephistopheles sees Siebel’s attempts and helps Faust in his courting efforts by leaving a box of jewels for Marguerite next to the flowers. When she sees the jewels she is awe-struck. She showers herself in the jewels, and eventually welcomes Faust into her house. Mephistopheles laughs in the distance.

Act IV
Several months pass, and Marguerite is pregnant. When Valentin returns from war to find that his sister is carrying a child he is angered and attempts to slay Faust. Instead, Valentin is murdered; in his dying breath he curses Marguerite.

Act V
The next scene takes place in prison, where Marguerite has been incarcerated and sentenced to death for killing her child.  Having gone mad, she begs for her time to end, and for the angels to come and carry her to heaven. Marguerite’s soul is taken to Heaven, while Mephistopheles takes Faust to Hell.