When you think of "art and culture" in terms of The Alchemist, a lot can come up. You can think of Mammon's plans for decking his new house out in fancy art (and wall-to-wall mirrors, so he can admire his bod). You can think of the art of alchemy. You can think, even, of the art of seduction.
But those are all overshadows by the Big Deal Art that this play is continually referencing: the theater. This play knows it's a play, and it's very proud of that fact. Characters dress up and perform as other characters. There's continuous anxiety about the stage being set for various cons…and so secondary characters won't run into each other. In fact, short of having a character scream out "You're watching a play now!" The Alchemist is about as self-referential as it gets.
Questions About Art and Culture
- Why do you think Ben Jonson alludes so often to the fact that this play is, well, a play?
- Which character seems the most like an actor playing a part (or multiple parts)?
- How does the idea of theater complement the idea of alchemy? Is theater a kind of alchemy?
Chew on This
Ben Jonson references alludes to the fact that The Alchemist is a play to soften the razor's edge of its satire.
The Alchemist would work just as well if it were a novel referencing the fact that it's a novel, or a movie that references the fact that it's a movie.