We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Doctor Faustus Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

  • Now we meet Wagner, one of the townspeople.
  • He calls over a guy named Robin, merely by saying "boy," to which little Robin takes offense. Wagner wants to know if Robin makes any dough. 
  • Sure. Robin claims he has "comings in" and "goings out" as well (both income and expenses).
  • Yeah right, says Wagner. He knows that Robin is jobless and hungry.
  • He offers to bind Robin to him—to make him his apprentice—for a period of seven years, threatening to turn Robin's lice into a chronic problem if he doesn't agree to. Agree, Robin! Agree!
  • Lice? No sweat dude, says Robin. He's got lice up the wazoo. 
  • To try to seal the deal, Wagner gives Robin two coins, but Robin ain't havin' that.
  • So Wagner calls two devils to frighten Robin, then sends them away at Robin's request.
  • Fine. Robin's down for seven years of servitude as long as Wagner agrees to teach him how to conjure. 
  • A deal's a deal.