Scene 9 - Analysis

• In Scene 9, Robin and Rafe again provide some comic relief while making a point
• In two previous scenes Faustus has been treated to a parade of the Seven Deadly Sins and, with Mephastophilis's help, has played low pranks on His Holiness, the Pope
• In Scene 9, Robin and Rafe use magic to tease and torment a lowly wine merchant, but before Faustus pranked the Pope, though the subjects of these pranks differ in social rank, the pranks themselves are equally mean-spirited & petty
• Scene 9 is meant to highlights how Faustus has knowledge and power, but his instincts for its use are no more noble or moral than the instincts of a couple of ridiculous lowlifes
• In Scene 9, Mephastophilis punishes Robin & Rafe for their audacity, which is both amusing and a reminder of his role of demonic destroyer as he transforms them into an ape and a dog to emphasize their lowliness and foolishness