The Alchemist: Act 2, Scene 3 Summary & Analysis

Subtle enters and is greeted by Mammon. Subtle immediately asks who Surly is, and Mammon explains that Surly is a “heretic” he brought with him to “convert.” Subtle reminds Mammon that he must have honest intentions with the philosopher’s stone. The process won’t be successful if Mammon has ill intent, and it will be a shame to see all Subtle’s hard work wasted. The stone must only be used for “public good, / To pious uses, and dear charity.” If Mammon uses the stone for lustful means, Subtle warns, “So great and catholic a bliss,” Mammon will be cursed. 

Mammon tells Subtle that he understands completely and doesn’t need convincing. Surly, Mammon says, is whom Subtle must convince. Surly agrees; he does not believe in the stone and cannot be “gulled.” Convincing Surly will be easy, Subtle says, because his work is nearly done. Face enters, and Subtle asks if he has looked at the “bolt’s-head.” Face answers he has, and Subtle asks what color it is. Face informs him it is white, so Subtle tells him to add vinegar, filter the water, and place it in a sand-bath for heating.

Face exits, and Surly comments sarcastically about Subtle’s alchemical knowledge. Subtle claims in just three days of the “philosophers’ wheel” he will have “Sulfur o’ nature.” Mammon immediately asks if the sulfur is his, and Subtle says Mammon has enough already. Mammon begins to protest, and Subtle accuses him of being covetous. Mammon promises to put it to good use and fund schools, hospitals, and the occasional church. Subtle claims he is not yet convinced Mammon’s intentions are pure.

The process has been a success, Subtle says. Yes, Face confirms upon his return. “And,” Face adds, “what was saved was put into the pelican / And signed with Hermes’ seal.” They should now “have a new amalgama,” Subtle says. Surly again mutters an aside. “O, this ferret, Subtle says, “Is rank as any polecat.” All they need now, Face says, is more metal to work with. Mammon immediately gives him money to buy more, which Subtle quickly takes. Subtle gives Face some more technical instructions, and Face exits to see to the laboratory.

Mammon turns to Subtle and asks when they plan to “make projection.” Subtle tells Mammon to be patient. The stone is in a vapor bath, and Face must add the solution, let it congeal, and then dissolve it and let it congeal again. Afterward, it will turn any base metal to gold. Subtle tells Mammon to rush home and get all his brass, pewter, and andirons. Mammon asks if he may bring his spits, too, and his racks and pots and pans. Yes, Subtle says, they will transform it all. Surly interrupts. All of this, he says, is completely impossible.

Subtle explains there is “Materia liquida” (liquid matter) that is a form of gold not yet “propria materia” (a specific substance). If the liquid is dried, Subtle says, it becomes a stone; however, if it retains liquid, it becomes Sulphur or quicksilver—the “parents” of all metals. This is how mercury is created. All things in nature are born imperfect, Subtle says, and are made perfect later. Surly still isn’t convinced. He believes that alchemy is “a pretty kind of game,” like trick cards. Surly says that Subtle talks of medicine, mercury, and Sulphur, and his fancy words only serve to “obscure their art.” They begin to bicker, and Mammon sees Doll enter. He stops and immediately asks who she is.

Subtle ignores Mammon and orders Doll out of the room. He angrily calls to Face, who enters and tells Subtle that Doll only wishes to speak with him. Subtle leaves to go see her, and Face stays behind. He tells Mammon that Doll is the sister of a Lord. She is a “rare scholar,” Face says, and she went mad after studying the works of Broughton. Surly interrupts. This is “a bawdy house,” he says, nothing more. He begs Mammon not to be fooled. Do not “trust confederate knaves, and bawds and whores,” he says.

Face explains that Subtle is angry that Mammon saw Doll. Mammon gives Face more money and asks him what Doll is like when she isn’t insane. Face claims she is very kind and agreeable. “She’ll mount you up, like quick-silver,” he says, and she can speak of “state, / Of mathematics, bawdry, anything—.” Mammon asks if she is available, and Face exits to find out. Surly can’t believe Mammon has fallen for their scam. Doll is a prostitute, he says, but Mammon claims he saw Doll before in polite company. He even knows her brother, Mammon says. Surly doesn’t believe him, but Mammon insists. He forgot, Mammon says, and is only now remembering.

Surly is still dubious, and Face enters the room. Face tells Surly that a man named “Captain Face” would like to meet him at the Temple Church in 30 minutes about some urgent business. Face then whispers to Mammon and tells him to return in two hours, after Subtle has had a chance to complete his work. Surly agrees to meet the Captain at the church; however, he says in an aside that he is not fooled. He knows this a “bawdy-house,” and if the law arrived, he would swear to it. Surly vows to get to the bottom of Face and Subtle’s scam. Surly exits, and Mammon says he will follow shortly.

Face tells Mammon to hurry along with Surly, so he won’t grow more suspicious. Mammon says he will, but first he wants Face to promise to talk to Doll for him. He wants Face to praise him and say that he is a gentleman. Face asks if he should mention the stone. Should he tell her that Mammon will make her rich like a queen, Face asks? Mammon is very excited. Yes, he says, telling Face he loves him. Face reminds Mammon to send his metal over, and Subtle can get busy “projecting.” Mammon gives Face more money and promises to hurry back.