We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
You've probably noticed that there's a boatload of alchemy jargon in this play. When our con artists (Subtle and Face) start tossing around a bunch of scientific-y sounding words related to the magic-y science of alchemy, it can often sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
Don't freak out when this happens—it's meant to be confusing. Subtle is a total trickster, after all, and he's trying to dupe his victims into thinking he's a smart and powerful alchemist who can turn worthless metal into gold.
If it makes you feel any better, Jonson, thought the so-called "science" of alchemy was a giant load of garbage. He even cracks a little joke about the confusing language of alchemy when one of his characters asks "What else are all your terms / Whereon no one o'your writers 'grees with the other?" (2.3.184-185). Translation: Not even the so-called experts who write about alchemy can agree on every word's meaning.
In other words, you'll wind up tearing your hair out if you get caught up in trying to memorize every single one of the alchemical terms in this play so, just make sure your copy of the text has good editor's notes and check out our Detailed Summary (especially of Act 1, Scene 1), which is where we break down the most important words you need to know like, alchemy, the philosopher's stone, and the elixir of life.