Dame Pliant’s brother. A kestrel is a type of falcon that is known to aggressively beat its wings while hunting for prey on the ground, and Jonson’s Kestrel is similarly aggressive. Kestrel’s friend, Abel Drugger, takes him to see Subtle because they believe Subtle is an accomplished alchemist and mystic who can teach Kestrel to quarrel and live by his wits. Kestrel basically wants to be independently wealthy and intimidate others, like he does to his sister, whom he intends on marrying off to a rich aristocrat. Kestrel is cruel to Dame Pliant and threatens to beat and “maul” her if she doesn’t do as he says. He forces her to kiss and entertain Face and Subtle, and when Surly arrives disguised as a Spanish count, Kestrel makes Dame Pliant agree to marry him. After Surly admits that he isn’t really Spanish and that Subtle and Face are really conmen, Kestrel uses his new quarreling skills to chase Surly away. He chases Surly down the street, where he presumably learns the truth about Subtle and Face’s scam. Kestrel returns to the house to get his sister, but he is met by Lovewit, who has already married Dame Pliant in his absence. Kestrel is furious and attempts to use his quarreling skills on Lovewit, but Kestrel is quickly intimidated and shut up. Kestrel represents gullibility and greed in Jonson’s play. He easy falls for Subtle and Face’s con, and he seeks Subtle’s help as an alchemist to selfish ends. Kestrel’s greed is also mirrored in his despicable treatment of his sister, whom he sees largely as an object that can bring him increased wealth and status.
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Kestrel Character Timeline in The Alchemist
The timeline below shows where the character Kestrel appears in The Alchemist. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 2, Scene 6
...She will have her pick of suitors, Face says, but Drugger claims the Dame’s brother, Kestrel, has said she must marry an aristocrat. Drugger says Kestrel is young and rich, and...
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Face tells Drugger that Kestrel is in luck, because Subtle is the wittiest man in London. Subtle has a table...
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Act 3, Scene 3
...what he took from Drugger, plus whatever he manages to get from Dame Pliant and Kestrel—Face can’t image his share will be anything less than 40 pounds. Doll enters, and Face...
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...his cues. Face looks out the window and notices a second man. It must be Kestrel, Face says, the man who wants to quarrel. Dame Pliant, Subtle says, isn’t with them.
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Act 3, Scene 4
...Face says, he has convinced Subtle to give Dapper the “familiar.” Suddenly, Drugger enters with Kestrel. Kestrel has come to see Subtle, and Drugger has more tobacco for Subtle, too. Face...
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Face points to Dapper as an example for Kestrel. Dapper will soon meet with Subtle and be “initiated,” and afterward, he will have nothing...
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Kestrel tells Drugger to go and fetch Dame Pliant, but Face informs Kestrel that Subtle is...
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Act 4, Scene 2
...and, after a hearty laugh with Face, tells him that Dame Pliant and her brother, Kestrel, have arrived. Face says he must hurry into his captain’s disguise, but first they must...
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Face opens the door, and Kestrel and Dame Pliant enter. Kestrel asks Face where the Captain is, and Face says he...
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Kestrel asks if Subtle can tell Dame Pliant’s fortune, and Subtle confirms he can. He can...
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Face greets Kestrel and asks about Dame Pliant. Kestrel introduces them and tells Face he must kiss her,...
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Act 4, Scene 3
...Pliant at any cost. Subtle enters, too, and says he has distracted Dame Pliant and Kestrel. Face immediately repeats that he must have Dame Pliant, but Face tells him to be...
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Act 4, Scene 4
Face enters with Kestrel and Dame Pliant. Face is telling Kestrel all about Subtle’s fortune and says Dame Pliant...
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...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...
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...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...
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Act 4, Scene 7
Face enters with Kestrel, and, pointing him in the direction of Surly, tells Kestrel it is now his chance...
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...for “lotium,” and Drugger confirms he does, in addition to “six syringes.” Face quietly tells Kestrel he must quarrel Surly right out the door, so Kestrel continues insulting and threatening him.
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...brethren have concluded that casting dollars is lawful. Subtle tells Ananias to be quiet, and Kestrel asks if Ananias is a constable. Face assures Kestrel that Ananias is no constable, and...
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Act 5, Scene 3
Lovewit again asks Face what is going on, and Kestrel knocks on the door. Kestrel threatens to call the police, and Face asks him who...
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Act 5, Scene 5
...the cloak. Lovewit takes off the disguise and opens the door. Mammon enters with Surly, Kestrel, Ananias, Tribulation Wholesome, and the police. Everyone begins talking at once about “Captain Face” and...
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...tells the police they may go in and search, but they will find no criminals. Kestrel again asks where Dame Pliant is and threatens to “thump her” when he finds her....
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...but Lovewit threatens to beat them, so Ananias and Tribulation exit. Dame Pliant enters, and Kestrel says he will kill her for marrying without his permission. Lovewit draws his sword and...
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