Here we have a word out of control.

Mephistophilis is a name in the popular vernacular often used for the Big Bad or at least the Dragon of a particular piece of media. It's come to denote a conniving, callous, scheming, and devious character. He could be described as Machiavellian, implying the absolute worst of human nature, however the word transcends the Machiavellian definition in many ways..

While someone described as Machiavellian may construct convoluted plans to further their own goals, the schemes of someone Mephistophelian would appear like Rube Goldbergs constructed of porcelain, glass, and string. They're Xanatos Gambits to the highest degree, intricate and delicate. Even the tiniest divergence from the prescribed course will send the whole thing crashing to the ground.

In Kit Marlow's Dr. Faustus, however, Mephistophilis hardly evokes this impression. Instead, he is one of the few redeemable and sympathetic characters in the whole story.

To begin, he's hardly a tempter. The first conversation between Meph and Faust goes something like this (in more elegant terms):

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F: So, yeah, been looking to pawn a soul here for some ultimate temporal power.

M: Right. Can't even tell you how much of a not awesome idea that is, my man. Like, that's one of the dumbest fucking things I've ever heard. Stop.

F: Why? Come on, I'll lay mad models and shit while here on earth and I get to be a total death-metal demon when I die. How cool is that?

M: Not cool at all. Zero cool. Complete null cool factor. Being in hell sucks.

F: So? I can def escape hell, you're not even in hell right now, so it can't be that bad.

M: I am in hell right now.

F: No you aren't, you're in my kitchen. I made this pentagram out of soy sauce on the kitchen table and sacrificed my General Tso's and you totally came out of hell to greet me.

M: For a supposedly smart guy you have no understanding of metaphysical concepts. Hell is a state of mind. I'm in hell all the time you stupid douche bag.

F: So what? Hell cannot be all it's cracked up to be, there's no way.

M: No way? No way? Imagine the most pain you have ever felt your entire life. Now the most shame, and the most sorrow. Combine those into one event and multiply that by ten and you know what you have? You still have no idea how much hell sucks, you pedantic mortal prick.

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Despite being a demon, supposedly a manifestation of evil incarnate, Mephistophilis actively tries to stop Faustus from selling his soul. He isn't even apathetic, eschewing the whole "Yeah, sell me your soul, what the fuck," routine in order to actually try to stop the entire process in the hopes of redeeming the good doctor. That isn't evil at all, so how the hell did his name take on such a frightening context?

Throughout the entire play, Mephistophilis isn't responsible for an act of evil that Faustus or his followers don't bid him to. Even at the end, he simply reminds Faustus of his debt before dragging him off to hell.

Of course, the term Faustian Bargain has a very apt meaning, referring to an idiot selling a part of themselves for material gain, so how did Mephistophelian stray so far from the path?

Finally, as an ending note, any version of the Faust legend which ends with Faustus repenting and the very end of his life and being saved is complete and utter bullshit (I'm looking at you, Everyman). Faustus is an asshat and has certainly earned the eternity of suffering visited upon him.