The Alchemist Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

  • As the scene opens, Face and Subtle are laughing hysterically about how Doll duped Mammon into thinking he's hooking up with a sexy lady scholar and not just some common prostitute.
  • Now Kastril and his widowed sister (Dame Pliant) show up.
  • Face and Subtle bicker over who gets dibs on Dame Pliant. In the end, they agree to draw straws.
  • Soon enough, Subtle starts teaching Kastril how to "quarrel."
  • But, Subtle's a lot more interested in Kastril's sister, the "soft and buxom widow."
  • Subtle kisses Dame Pliant's mouth and pretends to see into her into future by "inspection of her forehead" and lips.
  • He claims Dame Pliant's soon going to become a "lady" by marrying an aristocrat.
  • Then he kisses her again and starts fondling her hand (you know, so he can read her fortune) and waffles a bunch of B.S. about Dame Pliant's future husband.
  • Face enters the room disguised as a Captain. He greets Kastril and kisses Dame Pliant hello.
  • But just as Face/Captain is about to put his best moves on the hot, young, widow, the Spanish Count shows up at the house for his "meeting" with Doll so Face has to rush off and greet him.
  • Meanwhile, Subtle sends Kastril and Dame Pliant off to another part of the house.