The Alchemist by Ben Jonson (1601)
The play unfolds in a house owned by Lovewit, where a group of con artists, led by Face and Subtle, engage in a series of schemes to defraud various characters, including Sir Epicure Mammon, a wealthy man obsessed with alchemy and the philosopher's stone. The trio, including Dol Common, a woman who assists them, concocts elaborate ruses to exploit the gullible. Face, posing as Lovewit's servant, manages to convince Mammon that he can turn base metals into gold. Mammon, eager to become rich, is drawn into their schemes, believing that he will soon possess immense wealth. Meanwhile, Dapper, a lawyer's clerk, seeks to gain favor with the Queen of Fairy, hoping to win at gambling through the assistance of Subtle's supposed magical powers. As the plot thickens, various characters, including Drugger, a tobacco seller, and Kastril, a hot-headed young man, become entangled in the con artists' web. Kastril's sister, Dame Pliant, is also introduced, and her potential marriage to a Spanish count becomes a point of contention among the characters. The play is marked by comedic misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and the eventual unraveling of the con. Lovewit returns to find his house in disarray, with the con artists having fled, leaving behind a trail of chaos. The final act sees the characters confronting the consequences of their actions, with Lovewit reclaiming his property and the con artists facing the repercussions of their deceit. Ultimately, the play critiques greed, gullibility, and the folly of those who seek wealth through dishonest means, all while delivering sharp wit and humor through its lively dialogue and engaging characters.
By Ben Jonson · First published 1601 · Genre: Comedy, Drama, Satire · 11 chapters
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE III
- SCENE III
- SCENE IV