Act V, Scene 3

Summary

The next morning, the scholars are very concerned about the dreadful noises heard during the night. They find FaustusÂ’ body torn to pieces. Out of consideration for his expertise as a scholar, and because of the respect and pity they feel for him, they decide to give Faustus a good Christian burial.

This scene, in which the scholars discover Faustus’ “mangled limbs,” is looked upon by critics as an anti-climax. An anti-climax, of course, is inevitable after the massive tension of the previous scene. The burial service, with its prayers for the soul, is essentially irrelevant.

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