The Alchemist (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Ben Jonson
- First Published: 1612
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Comedy of manners
- Time of Work: Early seventeenth century
- Setting: London, England
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Subjects: Crime or criminals, Gambling, Prostitution or prostitutes, England or English people, Seventeenth century, London, Fraud, Plague, Treasure, Quest, Alchemy
- Locales: London, England
Characters Discussed
Subtle, the Alchemist, a moldy, disreputable cheat. Joining forces with Jeremy Butler and Dol Common, he uses his fund of scientific and pseudo-scientific jargon to fleece the gullible. He promises large returns from transmutation of metals, astrological prophecies, physical nostrums, or whatever seems most likely to entrap his victims. When the master of the house returns, he is forced to take flight without his gains.
Face (Jeremy Butler), Subtle’s contact man, who furnishes his master’s house as the Alchemist’s headquarters. He is a...
[The entire page is 839 words long]
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