Even after mastering theology, medicine, and law, Dr. Faustus remained dissatisfied with his limited understanding of the world. Demonology offered him a means of extending his knowledge. He sold his soul to Lucifer in return for having the demon Mephistophilis at his service for a term of 20 years. In Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the first use Faustus makes of Mephistophilis is to ask where hell is. In response, Mephistophilis offers a striking image of Armageddon, in which every creature will be purged of evil and all of existence apart from heaven will be hell.
FAUSTUS. First will I question with thee about hell. Tell me, where is the place that men call hell?
MEPHIST. Under the heavens.
FAUSTUS. Ay, but whereabout?
MEPHIST. Within the bowels of these elements,
Where we are tortur'd and remain for ever:
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd
In one self place; for where we are is hell,
And where hell is, there must we ever be:
And, to conclude, when all the world dissolves,
And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be hell that are not heaven.
FAUSTUS. Come, I think hell's a fable.
MEPHIST. Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.
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