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Synopsis - Act III A victorious Valentin returns from battle as Act 3 of Faust opens. He meets Siebel on a street in front of Marguerite's home, and inquires about his sister's welfare. Siebel hedges, and attempts to keep Valentin from entering Marguerite's home. Valentin pushes through, and is shocked to find Marguerite has given birth to Faust's child.
Faust and Mephistopheles meanwhile, return to Marguerite's home, the former feeling guilty for abandoning her. They find Valentin, who challenges Faust to a duel. With Mephistopheles' assistance, Faust is the victor, and the mortally wounded Valentin dies, placing a curse on his sister. Marguerite prays for salvation at a local church, but is taunted by Mephistopheles, who claims God has left her in her hour of need, as Marguerite embarks on a moral struggle between redemption and eternal damnation. Scene three of the act finds Marguerite imprisoned, arrested for the crime of infanticide. Faust steals into her cell, and begs her to escape with him and Mephistopheles. Marguerite refuses, and awaits her march to the scaffold. Mephistopheles leads Faust into the pits of hell, as Marguerite, realizing his true identity, pleads with celestial powers to save her. As the curtain falls, Marguerite is judged, forgiven, and ascends to the heavens.
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