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Act 4, Scene 3
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Alchemist, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Alchemy and Transformation
Religion
Sex and Greed
Deception and Gullibility
Summary
Analysis
Face enters with Kestrel and Dame Pliant. Face is telling Kestrel all about Subtle’s fortune and says Dame Pliant will soon become a Spanish countess. Dame Pliant asks if a Spanish countess is better than an English countess, and Kestrel tells Face to ignore her. “She is a fool,” Kestrel says. Face reassures them a Spanish countess is best. Ask anyone, Face says, and they will say that Spanish horses are best, as well as Spanish clothing and Spanish beards, and Spanish steps form the best dances.
Face is clearly trying to convince Kestrel and Dame Pliant that Spanish counts are best because they need her to agree to marry the Spaniard to pull their scam off and still set the Spaniard up with a woman. Kestrel is cruel and refers to his sister as “a fool.” He sees her only as a means to satisfy his own greed—in this case, his desire for increased wealth and upward social mobility.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Subtle enters, holding Dame Pliant’s horoscope, and begins to tell her fortune. Face interrupts. He has already told her, Face says, and Dame Pliant knows that she will become a Spanish countess. Subtle says Face can never keep a secret, but the Dame says she wouldn’t like to marry a Spanish count. She doesn’t like the Spanish. “Never sin’ eighty-eight could I abide ‘em,” she says, even though she wasn’t born until three years later. Kestrel turns to his sister. “God’s lid, you shall love him,” Kestrel says, “or I’ll kick you.” Dame Pliant promises she will. If she doesn’t, Kestrel says, he will “maul” her.
Subtle seems irritated that Face has already told Dame Pliant her fortune, which reflects the growing animosity between Face and Subtle. Dame Pliant refers to 1588—the year the Spanish Armada invaded England—which she cites as her reason for not liking the Spanish. Regardless of how Dame Pliant feels, Kestrel forces her to love the Spaniard—if not, Kestrel will beat (“kick” and “maul”) her.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Surly enters, still disguised as a Spanish count, and Face welcomes him warmly. Surly begins speaking to them in Spanish, and Kestrel notes he isn’t speaking English. He asks Face if the Count is speaking French, and Face says it is Spanish. He tells Kestrel that the Count is fond of Dame Pliant, but it is custom in Spain for the woman to first advance and kiss the man. Kestrel orders Dame Pliant to kiss the Count, or he will “thrust a pin i’ [her] buttocks, and Face suggests they go out to the garden. He can translate, Face says, and Dame Pliant exits with Surly. Subtle quietly tells Face to get word to Doll, and then he tells Kestrel to come with him. They will finish his quarreling lesson, Subtle says.
