mephistopheles

/,mefis'tɔfili:z/

Thân thiện

Mephistopheles appears to Faust in his study.

Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • An evil spirit or demon: In German folklore and literature, particularly in the Faust legend, Mephistopheles is the devil or a demonic figure to whom the scholar Faust sells his soul in exchange for knowledge and worldly pleasures.
   • A personification of evil or cynicism: By extension, the name is used to represent a fiendish, cynical, or malevolent person or force.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In Goethe's play, Faust makes a pact with Mephistopheles.
  • The character of Mephistopheles represents the tempting and destructive aspects of nihilism.

Advanced Usage

• "a Mephistophelean bargain": A deal or pact with the devil, implying a transaction where one gains immediate benefits at the ultimate cost of one's soul or moral integrity.
  • The corrupt official felt he had made a Mephistophelean bargain for his wealth.

Variants and Related Words

• Mephistophelean (adjective): Having the qualities of Mephistopheles; fiendish, sardonic, or cynically clever.
  • He gave a Mephistophelean smile before revealing his plan.

Synonyms

• The Devil
• Satan
• Lucifer
• Fiend

Related Idioms

• "To sell one's soul to Mephistopheles": To compromise one's principles or ethics for personal gain, power, or knowledge.
  • In his ruthless pursuit of fame, the artist felt he had sold his soul to Mephistopheles.

Học thuật

Noun

1. evil spirit to whom Faust sold his soul

Từ đồng nghĩa

• mephistopheles