Day 4

The Alchemist (Jonson) Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    What is the central dynamic in the Mammon-Dol love scene, and how does Jonson achieve a balance between sentimentality and cruelty in this pivotal moment of the play?

    Jonson masterfully navigates an unusual and complex emotional terrain, often shortened or omitted in performances. This scene encapsulates the play's remarkable interplay between sentimentality and cruelty, as it unfolds a romance between a once-wealthy man now destitute and a noblewoman who, in truth, is a sex worker.

    The heart of this scene lies in Mammon's remarkable capacity for self-delusion. The irony is stark when he compares Dol to Renaissance aristocracy while she is, in...

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