Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of the practice of alchemy as depicted in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist?
What was the primary goal of the practice of alchemy as depicted in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist?
- To discover new medicinal herbs
- To create the philosopher's stone (correct)
- To advance agricultural techniques
- To promote moral and ethical values
Who are the main characters involved in deceiving the gullible Londoners in The Alchemist?
Who are the main characters involved in deceiving the gullible Londoners in The Alchemist?
- Face, Subtle, and Doll (correct)
- Philosophers and scientists
- King Henry VIII and his court
- Roman Catholic priests
What legendary substance did alchemists believe could grant immortality?
What legendary substance did alchemists believe could grant immortality?
- Gold
- Elixir of life (correct)
- Amber
- Philosopher's stone
How did the Protestant Reformation influence the societal views on practices like alchemy during Ben Jonson's time?
How did the Protestant Reformation influence the societal views on practices like alchemy during Ben Jonson's time?
In what manner do the main characters in The Alchemist utilize the concept of alchemy?
In what manner do the main characters in The Alchemist utilize the concept of alchemy?
What societal vice is heavily explored through the characters and actions in The Alchemist?
What societal vice is heavily explored through the characters and actions in The Alchemist?
Which of the following best describes the perception of alchemy during Ben Jonson's time?
Which of the following best describes the perception of alchemy during Ben Jonson's time?
What role does Doll play in the con scheme of The Alchemist?
What role does Doll play in the con scheme of The Alchemist?
Why were the gullible characters in The Alchemist referred to as 'gulls'?
Why were the gullible characters in The Alchemist referred to as 'gulls'?
What does the act of alchemy typically symbolize in literature, particularly in The Alchemist?
What does the act of alchemy typically symbolize in literature, particularly in The Alchemist?
How does Jonson differentiate between genuine art and pretentious art in his play?
How does Jonson differentiate between genuine art and pretentious art in his play?
What does Jonson's reference to the 'altar' and 'light' symbolize in his play?
What does Jonson's reference to the 'altar' and 'light' symbolize in his play?
In what way does Jonson characterize critics in relation to violence in plays?
In what way does Jonson characterize critics in relation to violence in plays?
What is a key theme explored through Jonson's character Face?
What is a key theme explored through Jonson's character Face?
Which character is portrayed as the most gullible in the play?
Which character is portrayed as the most gullible in the play?
What does Jonson imply about the nature of religious sacrifices through his references?
What does Jonson imply about the nature of religious sacrifices through his references?
How does Jonson view the societal role of patrons of the arts like Mary Wroth?
How does Jonson view the societal role of patrons of the arts like Mary Wroth?
How does the character Subtle contribute to the theme of deception in the play?
How does the character Subtle contribute to the theme of deception in the play?
What societal critique does Jonson convey through the character of Mammon?
What societal critique does Jonson convey through the character of Mammon?
In Jonson's view, what distinguishes plays that are selective in their content?
In Jonson's view, what distinguishes plays that are selective in their content?
What was a primary outcome that the philosopher’s stone was believed to produce?
What was a primary outcome that the philosopher’s stone was believed to produce?
In The Alchemist, what motivates the gulls to approach Face and Subtle?
In The Alchemist, what motivates the gulls to approach Face and Subtle?
What two vices are predominantly highlighted in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist?
What two vices are predominantly highlighted in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist?
How is the practice of alchemy characterized in the context of Ben Jonson's play?
How is the practice of alchemy characterized in the context of Ben Jonson's play?
What significant historical event preceded the writing of The Alchemist?
What significant historical event preceded the writing of The Alchemist?
Who assists Face and Subtle in their con schemes targeting the gulls?
Who assists Face and Subtle in their con schemes targeting the gulls?
What does the term 'gull' refer to in the context of The Alchemist?
What does the term 'gull' refer to in the context of The Alchemist?
What primary theme does deception represent in The Alchemist?
What primary theme does deception represent in The Alchemist?
Which character is not involved in the con to deceive the gulls?
Which character is not involved in the con to deceive the gulls?
How does the public perception of alchemy relate to the characters in The Alchemist?
How does the public perception of alchemy relate to the characters in The Alchemist?
What were the conmen in The Alchemist ultimately seeking to exploit from their victims?
What were the conmen in The Alchemist ultimately seeking to exploit from their victims?
In Jonson's portrayal, how is the concept of deception primarily manifested in The Alchemist?
In Jonson's portrayal, how is the concept of deception primarily manifested in The Alchemist?
What role does Doll play in the schemes of Face and Subtle?
What role does Doll play in the schemes of Face and Subtle?
What is the primary motivation behind the gulls' actions in The Alchemist?
What is the primary motivation behind the gulls' actions in The Alchemist?
How does Jonson depict the relationship between alchemy and religion in his play?
How does Jonson depict the relationship between alchemy and religion in his play?
What societal aspect is heavily critiqued through the actions of Face and Subtle?
What societal aspect is heavily critiqued through the actions of Face and Subtle?
Which theme is primarily illustrated by the practice of alchemy in The Alchemist?
Which theme is primarily illustrated by the practice of alchemy in The Alchemist?
What type of characters are referred to as 'gulls' in The Alchemist?
What type of characters are referred to as 'gulls' in The Alchemist?
What historical event had a significant influence on the themes explored in The Alchemist?
What historical event had a significant influence on the themes explored in The Alchemist?
Which vice is primarily illustrated through the character interactions in The Alchemist?
Which vice is primarily illustrated through the character interactions in The Alchemist?
What does Jonson suggest about the nature of art through his observations on critics?
What does Jonson suggest about the nature of art through his observations on critics?
Which character in The Alchemist represents the skeptical view of the con schemes?
Which character in The Alchemist represents the skeptical view of the con schemes?
How does Jonson characterize the concept of dedication in relation to sacrifices?
How does Jonson characterize the concept of dedication in relation to sacrifices?
What does Jonson's mention of 'ambitious Faces of the time' imply about society?
What does Jonson's mention of 'ambitious Faces of the time' imply about society?
What does Jonson imply about the relationship between lustful dances and art?
What does Jonson imply about the relationship between lustful dances and art?
What literary device does Jonson use to discuss the theme of deception?
What literary device does Jonson use to discuss the theme of deception?
How does Jonson view the societal role of the wealthy patrons like Mary Wroth?
How does Jonson view the societal role of the wealthy patrons like Mary Wroth?
What does Dapper, the law clerk, symbolize in the play?
What does Dapper, the law clerk, symbolize in the play?
In what manner does Jonson warn his audience regarding 'pretenders'?
In what manner does Jonson warn his audience regarding 'pretenders'?
What position does Jonson take regarding religious perspectives on sacrifice?
What position does Jonson take regarding religious perspectives on sacrifice?
Flashcards
Alchemy
Alchemy
Ancient natural philosophy and early chemistry seeking to transform base metals into gold and produce the elixir of life.
Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's Stone
Legendary substance in alchemy thought to transmute base metals and create the elixir of life.
Elixir of Life
Elixir of Life
In alchemy, a substance that grants immortality.
The Alchemist (play)
The Alchemist (play)
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Face and Subtle
Face and Subtle
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Deception
Deception
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Gullibility
Gullibility
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Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
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King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
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Sex and Greed
Sex and Greed
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Alchemy's Goal
Alchemy's Goal
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Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's Stone
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The Alchemist (Play)
The Alchemist (Play)
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Face and Subtle
Face and Subtle
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Deception (in play)
Deception (in play)
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Gullibility (in play)
Gullibility (in play)
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Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
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King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
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Themes in the play
Themes in the play
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Sex/Greed
Sex/Greed
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Jonson's play dedication
Jonson's play dedication
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Deception in Jonson's play
Deception in Jonson's play
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Mary Wroth
Mary Wroth
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Jonson's religious view
Jonson's religious view
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Face in The Alchemist
Face in The Alchemist
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Subtle's deception
Subtle's deception
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Critic's judgement
Critic's judgement
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True art vs. pretense
True art vs. pretense
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Play's quality
Play's quality
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Lovewit and the plague
Lovewit and the plague
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Alchemy's Goal
Alchemy's Goal
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Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's Stone
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The Alchemist (Play)
The Alchemist (Play)
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Face and Subtle
Face and Subtle
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Deception in The Alchemist
Deception in The Alchemist
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Gullibility in The Alchemist
Gullibility in The Alchemist
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Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
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King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
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Themes in The Alchemist
Themes in The Alchemist
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Sex/Greed in The Alchemist
Sex/Greed in The Alchemist
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Jonson's play dedication
Jonson's play dedication
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Deception in The Alchemist
Deception in The Alchemist
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Mary Wroth's importance
Mary Wroth's importance
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Jonson's religious view
Jonson's religious view
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Face in The Alchemist
Face in The Alchemist
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Subtle's deception
Subtle's deception
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Critic's judgement
Critic's judgement
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True art vs. pretense
True art vs. pretense
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Play's quality
Play's quality
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Lovewit and the plague
Lovewit and the plague
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