Wagner Character Analysis in Doctor Faustus

Wagner is Faustus's student and servant. Although he does not sell his soul to Lucifer alongside his master, he does dabble in the dark arts by borrowing Faustus's spell book. He is fiercely proud of his connection with such an infamous man, and in comedic scenes amongst the clowns, he takes a high-and-mighty tone with respect to information and authority. At the end of the play, Faustus bequeaths to Wagner a generous share of his wealth.

Wagner Character Timeline in Doctor Faustus

The timeline below shows where the character Wagner appears in Doctor Faustus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Wagner, Faustus's servant, enters. Faustus tells him to invite the magicians Valdes and Cornelius to visit... (full context)

Education, Knowledge, and Power Theme Icon

The Scholars catch sight of Wagner, who enters. They question him as to Faustus's whereabouts, and Wagner hedges, mocking their academic... (full context)

Wagner enters and calls out to a Clown, calling him “boy” – which the clown, entering... (full context)

Hoping to enlist the clown as his servant, Wagner threatens to turn all of his lice into demons if he doesn't go into service... (full context)

Insisting that the clown has no choice, Wagner calls up two devils to prove his point. The clown says he isn't afraid of... (full context)

After the devils exit, the clown asks Wagner if while he's in his service he can teach Robin magic. Wagner agrees, but reminds... (full context)

Alone on the stage, Wagner announces that Faustus has ridden in a chariot drawn by dragons through the sky to... (full context)

Temptation, Sin, and Redemption Theme Icon

...the shocked horse-courser flees. Faustus' leg is instantly restored, and he laughs at the horse-courser. Wagner arrives to tell Faustus that his company is requested by the Duke of Vanholt, “an... (full context)

In a brief interlude between scenes, Wagner thinks aloud to the audience that Faustus must be nearing death, because he has given... (full context)