Act 5, scene 1: In a speech that is half-addressed to the audience and himself, Wagner thinks that Faustus means to die shortly, since he has given him all of his wealth. At the same time, Wagner cannot understand how Faustus can carouse and carry on if he is close to his deathbed. In the meantime, Faustus is at dinner with several scholars. The scholars ask Faustus to conjure Helen of Troy so that they can admire her legendary beauty. An old man suddenly enters the room and begs Faustus to repent while it is not too late, for fear of the miseries of hell.
Faustus realizes that he is truly damned and that hell will shortly claim his soul. Mephostophilis threatens to kill Faustus if he dares repent. Faustus gives up all hope and apologizes for his momentary transgression. He orders Mephostophilis to torture the old man for trying to dissuade him from Lucifer. He also commands the devil to again summon Helen of Troy so that she can be his paramour. The old man desperately reenters and tells Faustus that he is doomed. Although the devils try to torture him, the old man clings to his faith and scorns hell and all of its temptations.
Act 5, scene 2: Lucifer, Mephostophilis and Beelzebub ascend from hell to claim Faustus's soul, now that twenty-four years are up. After finalizing his will with Wagner, Faustus greets the three scholars who have entered the house again. They notice that Faustus is melancholy and ask him if he is sick. Faustus replies that he is sick of damnation and trembles at the thought of the wrath of the afterlife. Although the scholars urge him to pray to God for salvation, he replies that it is too late for repentance. The scholars mourn Faustus's demise, as they were unaware of his pact with the devil. They retire to the adjoining room to pray for his soul and God's compassion.
Faustus angrily blames Mephostophilis for robbing him of eternal happiness. The devil replies in the affirmative, saying that he prevented Faustus from ever having second doubts or praying to God. The good and evil angels reappear and agonize over his impending doom. The good angel reprimands him for never listening to good advice; the evil angel shows him hell and the tortures that await him.
The clock strikes eleven and Faustus realizes that he has only one hour left to live. He begs God to have pity on him and save him from eternal misery. In the end, Faustus curses himself for his foolishness in placing value on earthly pleasures and not immortal joys. The clock strikes midnight and the devils drag him screaming to hell.
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