The Alchemist by Ben Jonson Quiz

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What is the primary reason Face is running a criminal operation?

He is being blackmailed.
He wants to become wealthy.
His master has left the city due to the plague. (correct)
He enjoys deceiving others.

What does Dapper hope to achieve with the help of a 'familiar'?

Win at cards and gambling. (correct)
Find eternal youth.
Become a successful business owner.
Learn the secrets of alchemy.

What peculiar ritual must Dapper perform to receive his 'familiar'?

Dance in a circle while chanting.
Offer a sacrifice to the Fairy Queen.
Fast and apply vinegar in a specific manner. (correct)
Light a series of candles.

What does Subtle advise Abel Drugger to do for his new shop?

Place a magnet under the threshold. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Subtle describe Drugger's future prospects?

He is born under a 'rare star' and will be very lucky. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the philosopher's stone said to do?

Transform metals into gold and provide eternal life. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What incites Face to demand a larger share of the profits?

His observation of Drugger's gullibility. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Face, Subtle, and Doll Common?

They are allies in a criminal scheme. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role does Face play during Dapper's visit?

A captain in disguise. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Subtle initially hesitate to help Dapper?

He feels alchemical magic should not be used for immoral purposes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Mammon believe the philosopher’s stone will allow him to do?

Transform into a rich man (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is Surly's opinion about Subtle and Face?

He thinks they're conmen (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Mammon plan to do with the elixir he hopes to obtain from Subtle?

Gain unmatched sexual prowess (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Subtle respond to Ananias's request for projection?

He claims they are weeks away from it (C) Signup and view all the answers

What disguise does Face tell Doll to wear when Dapper arrives?

A Fairy Queen disguise (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Jonson's prologue in his Folio address?

The Reader (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Subtle communicate in the play?

Using dense, technical jargon (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Dame Pliant and Kestrel?

They are siblings (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Dol's relationship to classical political thought?

She uses its language to support her claims (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Tribulation Wholesome refer to Subtle as?

An antichristian (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what way is Dol Common depicted in the play?

As a founder of a commonwealth (C) Signup and view all the answers

What action causes an explosion in the other room?

The philosopher’s stone catches fire (A) Signup and view all the answers

What task does Subtle agree to undertake for Kestrel and Dame Pliant?

Teach Kestrel how to quarreling (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'venture tripartite' refer to in Dol's argument?

A collaborative effort to achieve success (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Subtle offer to teach Ananias and Tribulation while they wait for the philosopher's stone?

How to melt pewter and cast money (C) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the London in the play is compared to a classical idea?

Democracy and collective living (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Dol Common quote from Broughton?

In her fit of talking (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one outcome of Jonson's references to other texts in his play?

It creates a complex literary tapestry. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What motivates the gulls in the play to fall for the conmen's tricks?

Their greed for gold and the Philosopher's Stone (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Face manage to deceive Lovewit upon his return?

He disguises himself as Jeremy, the butler. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of in-jokes and references to contemporary works suggest about the play?

It targets a specific audience familiar with those works. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Doll do to trick Dapper into believing he will meet the Fairy Queen?

She disguises herself as the Queen. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The characters' jargon in the play may be interpreted as:

An attempt to sound authoritative and impressive (C) Signup and view all the answers

What theme does Jonson explore through the characters' gullibility?

The nature of belief and faith (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of alchemy in the play?

It represents transformation and deception. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the character of Lovewit portrayed in relation to the conmen?

Lovewit ultimately outsmarts the conmen. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the theatrical element play in the conmen's actions?

It distracts the victims from the truth. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the audience's awareness of the play in relation to the gulls?

The audience understands they are witnessing a trick. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Doll and Subtle at the end of the play?

They are arrested by the police. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do the characters in the play transform their identities?

By engaging in deceit and disguise (B) Signup and view all the answers

What motivates the gulls in the play to believe in the conmen's schemes?

Their desire for wealth (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary theme related to belief in the play?

The difference between gullibility and skepticism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What literary technique is primarily utilized through Jonson's prologue and the characters' language in the play?

Allusion (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Lovewit manage to outmaneuver Face at the end of the play?

By deceiving the police (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Dapper's main motivation for seeking out Subtle?

To win at cards and gambling. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the character of Dapper hope to gain from his encounter with the Fairy Queen?

A unique treasure (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Dol Common frame her argument about collaboration?

In the language of classical political thought (D) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of alchemy is questioned throughout the play?

Its empirical validity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What impression does Dol's character give beyond her traditional role?

She acts as a founder of a social construct (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Subtle suggest Dapper must do in preparation for receiving his 'familiar'?

Complete a series of mystical physical actions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Jonson imply about theater and its relation to belief?

Theater manipulates belief through illusion (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Subtle manipulate Abel Drugger's beliefs?

By convincing him of his own exceptional luck. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of dense jargon among the characters suggest?

A borrowed intellectualism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the engagement with multiple texts in the play imply about the author's approach?

An embrace of hypertextuality (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is Face's role during Dapper's encounter?

He disguises himself as a captain. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What significant role does the Philosopher's Stone play in the motivations of the gulls?

It symbolizes unattainable dreams. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which critique can be derived from the characters' actions in the play?

They convey the futility of human endeavors (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Face's portrayal change when he interacts with Lovewit?

He pretends to be the butler Jeremy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Subtle say will enhance Abel Drugger's chances for success?

Facing the shop south and placing a magnet at the threshold. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying message concerning the characters' faith in the play?

Blind faith can lead to exploitation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the references to contemporary works and writers in the play?

To invite intellectual debate on artistry (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Dapper promise to give Subtle in exchange for the 'familiar'?

Half of his gambling winnings. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What strategic idea does the term 'venture tripartite' reflect in Dol's viewpoint?

The importance of shared responsibility (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ritual that Dapper must perform?

To prove his worthiness for the 'familiar.' (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does Face view the potential profits from their schemes?

He is keen to maximize his share. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one thematic concern evident in the characters' interactions throughout the play?

Social cooperation and exploitation (C) Signup and view all the answers

How is London's character as presented in the play significant to its narrative?

It serves as a backdrop for classical ideals (B) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Dapper's character is highlighted by his eagerness to follow Subtle’s instruction?

His gullibility. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Subtle's confidence in predicting Drugger's success reveal about his character?

He is shrewd and manipulative. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Mammon's ultimate goal with the philosopher's stone?

To gain immense wealth and power (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Surly view Face and Subtle's intentions?

He suspects they are trying to deceive Mammon. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What requirement does Ananias set for Subtle in order to provide him with money?

He wants to see the philosopher's stone. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What strategy does Face use to entice Kestrel and Dame Pliant?

He claims he knows a secret about aristocratic marriages. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What plan does Subtle have for the union of Kestrel and Dame Pliant?

He intends to teach Kestrel how to be witty before proceeding. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Mammon arrives while Face and Subtle are entertaining Dapper?

Face and Subtle hide Dapper to prevent recognition. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Subtle respond to Ananias when he first arrives?

He exhibits anger towards him. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When Mammon is distracted by Doll, what does Surly try to warn him about?

That they are in a deceitful environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately causes Mammon to believe he has lost the philosopher's stone?

An explosion caused by recklessness. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics do Ananias and Tribulation Wholesome share in their view towards Subtle?

They view him as untrustworthy and heathen. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Face's criminal operation

Face, a conman, runs a criminal operation out of Lovewit's city home while he is away due to the plague.

Dapper's quest

Dapper seeks a "familiar," alchemical magic, to enhance gambling success.