Act II, Scene 3

Summary

Robin, the Clown, tells Dick, another servant, that he has acquired 2one of Doctor FaustusÂ’ conjuring books and wants to try some spells. Dick says he should go and attend to the horses, but Robin is more interested in magic. He promises by this means to provide Dick with all the wine he wants.

This short scene brings comic relief after the serious subject matter of the previous two scenes. It also puts the theme into perspective. Robin seeks to try out the knowledge stolen from FaustusÂ’ book. His idiocy is laughable, while FaustusÂ’ ineffectual arrogance and immaturity are tragic. The parody of conjuring is suggested in this scene, but never fully articulated. It degenerates into a demonstration of the ClownÂ’s inability to manipulate magic. Possibly, there is a suggestion that the more basic appetites (drinking, for instance) of Robin and Dick act as a defense against the perils into which Faustus is being led.

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