CONFLICT

Protagonist:

Faustus is the protagonist of the play. He makes the fatal choice of “cursed necromancy” (black magic) in order to gain absolute power for twenty-four years.

Antagonist:

Lucifer, who is assisted by Mephistophilis and the bad angel, receives FaustusÂ’ soul in exchange0for granting him twenty-four years of absolute power.

Climax:

It is reached in the scene in which Faustus agrees to sell his soul to Mephistophilis in exchange for twenty-four years of faithful service.

The outcome of the play is tragic. Faustus has to pay heavily for his rebellion against the fixed laws of heaven and for practicing “more than heavenly power permits.” He is dragged off to hell, and the real tragedy lies in the fact that Faustus does not believe that repentance can save him.

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