Chapter The Alchemist Summaries and Commentary of The Alchemist - Study Guide by Ben Jonson

is as if Jonson blew his characters up like balloons and then pricked them with a pin". No character is more inflated than Sir Epicure Mammon and his cry of "O my voluptuous mind! I am justly punish'd" (IV.v.74) could almost elicit sympathy, as his dreams, all be they greedy and selfish dreams, come crashing down around him. Mammon is told that nothing is left of their great project and he is hastily removed from the house by claims of the arrival of "the lady's" (Dol) furious brother. He leaves a broken man.

Subtle and Face then have a few moments to plan their next move before the next piece of action. The plot is well and truly beyond their control now and they will only survive by spontaneous use of their wits, a skill not equally possessed by all in the venture tripartite.

Act 4. Scene 6

Surly has revealed his true identity and dastardly plottings of the cozeners to Dame Plaint. For this service and his honesty he hopes to win her hand. He then confronts Subtle whose less than cunning reply is "Help, murder!" whilst Face manages a somewhat bolder "How, Surly!" Surly then tells them both of his knowledge of their trickery in intricate detail. indeed he gets somewhat carried away and doesn't notice Face slip away to get some form of help. It seems that the impostors' plans are undone.

Act 4. Scene 7

Surly's rant is interrupted by the re-entrance of Face along with Kastril. Face presents the situation to Kastril as an opportunity to practice his quarrelling saying, "The Doctor and your sister, both are abus'd" (IV.vii.3). Kastril attempts to rise to the challenge and though he says little more than "you lie" to Surly he is supported by the greater wits of Face. Subtle takes some time to regain his composure and needs prompting from Face.

They are further aided, however, by the entrance of Drugger who also abuses Surly. A further chemical to this volatile mixture comes in the form of Ananias who immediately takes offence at Surly's "Lewd, superstitious, and idolatrous breeches" (IV.vii.49) Attacked from all sides by an inept quarreller, the humble Drugger, a zealous Puritan and masterful Face, Surly has little choice but to quit the fray. Kastril is quickly dispatched after him to continue the quarrel.

Having recovered from the brink of discovery, Face enlists Drugger to find him a Spanish outfit so that he may provide Dame Pliant with a Spanish groom, namely himself. Drugger is to get the outfit from "the players" who should have the costume of Hieronimo, a character from Kyd's Spanish Tragedy, yet another example of Jonson making contemporary references. It has even been suggested that in his time as an actor Jonson himself had played this role.

Meanwhile, Subtle deals with Ananias who has come to tell him that, true to their hypocrisy, the brethren have decided that the 'casting' of coins is lawful. Subtle gets rid of him by claiming that it is too risky to cast in the house and that they shall meet again soon. With Face and Subtle finally on their own, Face berates Subtle for his slowness of wits and in a moment of reconciliation Subtle thanks him for the help. They are soon at loggerheads again, however, as Subtle states that, though he had lost interest in Dame Pliant earlier when he thought she was to be a whore, he was now desirous of her again since Surly had not taken advantage of her. They are, however, prevented from venting the matter further by the entrance of Dol.

She comes with the news that the thing that has underscored the whole play has happened, the master of the house, Lovewit, has returned home and is talking to a crowd of the neighbours. Whilst the other two despair, Face, always quick off the mark, makes a plan. He shall return to his normal guise as Jeremy the butler and deal with Lovewit, whilst the other two pack up their illgot earnings and take them to Ratcliff, an area in Stepney, where they shall meet the next day to share the booty.

Act 5