A Study of duplicities between the cheaters and the cheated in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist

Ned, Tan Wai (1997) A Study of duplicities between the cheaters and the cheated in Ben Jonson's The Alchemist. Bachelor thesis, Petra Christian University.

Abstract

In The Alchemist, the major characters as the cheat-ers act in dishonest way by using the philosopher's stone to get profit or advantages from the minor characters, who are the cheated in the play. Therefore, The Alchemist is a story exposing the duplicities between the cheaters and the cheated. These thesis is disscuBsed the reasons of these duplicities happen and what are the consequences of them to the cheaters and the cheated in the end. In the play, the cheaters' strong desire to improve their life stimulates them to do the duplicities towards the cheated, who are foolish enough to believe in them. Both of them are involved in the duplicities because all of them have a hope of sudden riches. Yet, in the end of the play, the cheaters get nothing as the judgement of their bad con-duct. Then, the cheated also lose their wealth as the payment of their foolishness. Therefore, the consequences of duplicities in The Alchemist as the punishment for the cheaters and the cheated, which is used to ridicule them out of their vices and follies.

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