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

In his final speech, Lovewit apologises for perhaps leaving the boundaries of behaviour expected by an old man, in life and in the theatre, but points to the benefits of a young wife for an old man as his excuse. In keeping with the inversion of master and servant, whilst Lovewit begins to deliver the final speech, he leaves it to Face to conclude the play. In these concluding lines Face invites the audience to be his jury thus reminding us of the essential purpose of Jonson's comedy, to educate. It is for the audience to judge the folly which has been put on trial and hopefully learn from their verdict.