goethe’s "faust" is a re-telling of the faust legend which was very famous in germany. the legend tells of a man called faust who is tired of studying and wants to have the greatest possible happiness. the devil (usually called mephistopheles, as he is in goethe’s play) tells faust he can help him to do this, but that in the end faust will have to give him his soul and go with him to hell. faust makes a pact (an agreement) with mephistopheles who promises him all his soul can wish for: fine living, gold, women and honour. faust signs the pact with his blood. faust uses magic in the hope that it will tell him everything about life. however, in the end mephistopheles wins his bet.