The First Part of the Tragedy, Lines 2528-4630 Summary

Street: Faust, Margaret Passing By

Faust and Mephisto are on the street as a beautiful young girl passes by. The girl is a maid, yet appears striking to Faust's eye. Faust tells Mephisto that he must have the girl. Mephisto says the girl has just returned from confession and is free of sin - Mephisto has no hold over her. Faust wants to go after the girl; Mephisto says Faust must be more cunning in his ways.

Evening: A Small Neat Room

Margaret sits in her room and thinks about the man she saw on the street. Mephisto and Faust enter the room, unseen. Faust leaves a box of jewels for Margaret, the girl also known as Gretchen.

Faust questions what has happened to him, why he has been...