Why Wagner and Robin are in Faustus...

Wagner and Robin are in the play perhaps to parallel what happens to Faustus, this is done by subtly referencing things that happen to him, 'I will make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus,' this Latin phrase means one who is my student, showing that Robin, like Faustus wants to gain knowledge and will sell his soul to do so. They also serve a dark comic addition to the play by adding puns, 'beaten silks,' Robin recognises the positivity of the silk, but subtly hints that abuse will come with it. Robin also plays with the audience's interpretation of him by initially making them think he is better than Faustus by refusing to sell his soul for raw mutton, he then reassures the audience of his dark character by then saying, 'I had need to have it well roasted, and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear.' It would also appear that Robin serves to show that, despite being well educated, Faustus is not as witty as him!