Abel Drugger Character Analysis in The Alchemist

One of Face and Subtle’s victims. Drugger, who happens to sell the best tobacco in town, is the owner of a new apothecary shop. He believes Subtle is a respected alchemist and mystic, and Drugger is hoping Subtle can advise him in the building of his new shop to guarantee his success. Subtle tells Drugger that his new shop must face south and that he should place a magnet under the door to draw in business. He also tells Drugger that he will be a huge success and has a real chance at coming into possession of the philosopher’s stone. Drugger later returns to see Face and Subtle with Kestrel and Dame Pliant, and when Surly attempts to tell Kestrel that Face and Subtle are conmen, Drugger helps Face and claims that Surly is the real con and owes Drugger for hair tonic and “six syringes.” Near the end of the play, Drugger gives Face the Spanish cloak that Lovewit later wears to trick Dame Pliant into marrying him. Like many of the characters in The Alchemist, Abel Drugger represents greed and gullibility. He easily believes that Subtle is an alchemist with knowledge of the philosopher’s stone, and he seeks Subtle’s help to ensure his own personal wealth and success.

Abel Drugger Quotes in The Alchemist

The The Alchemist quotes below are all either spoken by Abel Drugger or refer to Abel Drugger. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

So I will, sir. Gentlemen,
My part a little fell in this last scene,
Yet ’twas decorum. And though I am clean
Got off, from Subtle, Surly, Mammon, Doll,
Hot Ananias, Dapper, Drugger, all
With whom I traded; yet I put myself
On you, that are my country; and this pelf
Which I have got, if you do quit me, rests
To feast you often, and invite new guests.

Related Characters: Face / Jeremy the Butler (speaker), Subtle, Doll Common, Sir Epicure Mammon, Dapper, Ananias, Surly / The Spaniard, Abel Drugger

Page Number and Citation: 326

Explanation and Analysis:

Abel Drugger Character Timeline in The Alchemist

The timeline below shows where the character Abel Drugger appears in The Alchemist. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Subtle enters with Abel Drugger. Subtle asks Drugger if he sells tobacco, and Drugger confirms he does. “Free of the... (full context)

Subtle says that Drugger is indeed a lucky man, and he is sure to be wealthy and popular. By... (full context)

Subtle tells Drugger that the door of his new shop should face south, and the broadside of the... (full context)

Face enters with Drugger, explaining that Subtle “is busy with his spirits.” They interrupt Subtle, who angrily asks them... (full context)

Face tells Drugger to bring Dame Pliant to them at once, and Subtle will tell her fortune, but... (full context)

Face tells Drugger that Kestrel is in luck, because Subtle is the wittiest man in London. Subtle has... (full context)

...pounds from Mammon and three from Dapper. That sum added to what he took from Drugger, plus whatever he manages to get from Dame Pliant and Kestrel—Face can’t image his share... (full context)

...it was difficult, Face says, he has convinced Subtle to give Dapper the “familiar.” Suddenly, Drugger enters with Kestrel. Kestrel has come to see Subtle, and Drugger has more tobacco for... (full context)

...“familiars” to give Kestrel an edge. Kestrel asks if Subtle is really that powerful, and Drugger promises he is. Drugger once had a headache and Subtle sent him to see a... (full context)

Kestrel tells Drugger to go and fetch Dame Pliant, but Face informs Kestrel that Subtle is busy right... (full context)

...without complaint. Just as Surly begins to tell Kestrel all about Face and Subtle’s scam, Drugger enters. (full context)

Face quietly tells Drugger to follow his lead and says that Surly has scammed the “honest Drugger” out of... (full context)

Face explains to Drugger that Surly has kept them from most of their business, and he asks Drugger if... (full context)

Face returns and tells Subtle that Drugger is at the door. He tells Subtle to go and get Drugger’s suit, and then... (full context)

...“I am clean / Got off, from Subtle, Surly, Mammon, Doll, / Hot Ananias, Dapper, Drugger, all,” he says, and asks for the audience to be his jury. “[I]f you do... (full context)