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Mephistopheles (also '''Mephisto''', '''Mephistophilus''', '''Mephist''', '''Murphy''', '''Mephy''', '''Murphy Stoffelis''', and '''Mephistophilis''' as referred to in the original text) is a name given to one of the chief Demon s of Christian Mythology that figure in European literary traditions. The name is frequently used as an alternative form of Satan or The Devil . Because the name ''Mephistopheles'' evolved during the Renaissance , Mephistopheles makes no appearance in the Bible . However, according to certain extra-biblical texts relating to Christian mysticism, and a number of related works written during the 17th century, Mephistopheles was the first to join with Lucifer during the rebellion against God at the beginning of time. When the rebel angels were banished from Heaven, Mephistopheles was the second to fall, after Lucifer. In exchange for his loyalty Lucifer granted him power in Hell, appointing him his second-in-command. This is not widely accepted. Others believe that Mephistopheles was an angel that assisted God in the creation of the universe. He is known for the designing of orca whales, seals, and a few other ocean mammals typically working with a fellow angel named Cerenus. He joined the banner of Lucifer because he was jealous of humans. Mephistopheles is portrayed in the legend of Faustus , as the name of the Devil to whom Faust sells his soul. This legend was famously recorded in Christopher Marlowe 's play from the 1590s, '' The Tragical History Of Doctor Faustus '', and in the classic 19th century Drama ''Faust'' ('' Part 1 '' and '' Part 2 '') by the influential German writer and Humanist Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe . Mephistopheles is known throughout Goethe's book as a " Fallen Angel " himself, as he clearly states to Faustus. He rebels against the authority of God and is thrown out of Heaven into Hell . In a passage from Marlowe's ''Faustus'', Mephistopheles says "''Why this is hell, nor am I out of it./ Think’st thou that I, who saw the face of God,/And tasted the eternal joys of heaven,/ Am not tormented with ten thousand hells/ In being deprived of everlasting bliss?''" ''Mefisto'' is also the title of a book by contemporary Irish writer John Banville . The novel treats the descent of a young math prodigy, and burn victim, Gabriel Swann, into a personal hell, accompanied by various Mephisotopholean characters, including Felix and Mr. Kasperl. The meaning, if any, of the name "Mephistopheles" is unknown, although the historical evidence suggests that it was invented by the anonymous author of the German Chapbook that made the Faust story famous. Many attempts have been made to construct Etymologies from Greek or Hebrew , but with no definitive results. Inasmuch as the similarity of the Greek "Me Fausto philos" and the Latin "Ne Fausto filius" goes, who could deny that Mephistopheles was not a friend to Faust? Some believe that the name may mean "He who shuns the light". It is likely that the name was composed of Latin words 'mefitis' (also spelt 'mephitis', meaning noxious exhalation from the ground) and 'fel' (bile, poison), and orthographically dressed as a Greek name, as if transliterated from an imaginary Greek 'Μεφιστοφέλης'. Perhaps a rhyme with the name ’Αριστοτέλης Aristotélēs (Aristotle) was also sought, as well as the reverse meaning: while the name 'Aristotelēs' means 'noblest purpose' in Greek, the rhyming 'Mephistophelēs' seems to mean 'noxious bile', in a semi-educated, or perhaps deliberately comic, mixture of Greek and Latin. MEPHISTOPHELES IN POPULAR CULTURE
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