One of the more interesting but upsetting aspects of demonology is the recurring theme of humans making a pact with the devil. The myth of Faust is the most well known of these: in exchange for one's soul, Satan will bestow one with wealth or power for a specified time.

In most versions of the story, Faust tricks the devil and avoids payment. In the original, the devil mutilates and kills Faust at the end of the contract. His brains are splattered on the walls of his room, his eyes and teeth lay on the floor and his corpse rests outside on a dunghill.

According to most superstitions, witches were said to acquire their supernatural powers through a pact with the Devil. Prosecutors who were looking for tangible proofs and legal contracts made with Satan began to appear in courts during the XVth century.