The Alchemist is a play that revolves around tricksters Jeremy, Subtle, and Dol. They deceive their victims by pretending to be doctors, astrologers, and alchemists, swindling them out of money and valuables. 
Reading and Writing Workshop: The Alchemist and Common Dramatic Motifs
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Session 1: Theatrical Tricksters and Deception
Focus: Explore how tricksters drive the plot through deception, fraud, and manipulation.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Compare how the trickster figures in The Alchemist and Volpone manipulate others. How does Jonson use deception as a commentary on human weakness?

Session 2: Greed and Moral Corruption
Focus: Examine greed as a central theme and its destructive consequences.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Discuss how greed corrupts both the con artists and their victims in The Alchemist. How does this motif compare to Doctor Faustus?

Session 3: Social Satire and Class Critique
Focus: Analyze Jonson’s satirical portrayal of London society and social climbers.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
How does Jonson critique social ambition and vanity in The Alchemist? Compare his satirical tone to Wilde or Aristophanes.

Session 4: The Power and Folly of Alchemy
Focus: Explore alchemy as both a literal and symbolic motif in drama.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Analyze how Jonson uses alchemy as both a real scam and a metaphor for transformation and illusion. How does this compare to the symbolic use of alchemy in The Chymical Wedding?

Session 5: The Ending and Dramatic Irony
​Focus: Consider Jonson’s use of dramatic irony and resolution in comedic tradition.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
How does Jonson resolve the chaos created by his con artists? How does dramatic irony enhance the comedic or moral resolution compared to Shakespeare or Webster?
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