Character Analysis
A Conman By Any Other Name Would Be Just As Subtle
Merriam-Webster defines the word "subtle" as:
hard to notice or see; not obvious
clever and indirect, not showing your real purpose
having or showing skill at recognizing and understanding things that are not obvious.
And while Merriam-Webster does not define Subtle as "the quintessential grifter, pretending to be a "doctor" of science, alchemy and astrology so he can scam a bunch of dupes," we got to hand it to Ben Jonson for coming up with pretty much the perfect moniker for our boy Subtle.
He's absolutely "clever and indirect"—if he showed people his real purpose of taking all their cash, he probably wouldn't be running such a booming con business. What is it that makes Subtle so good at duping people? First of all, he's a really good talker and uses a bunch of fancy-sounding alchemy jargon to make his victims think he's a brilliant and pious man:
"Infuse vinegar,
To draw his volatile substance and his tincture:
And let the water in glass E be filt'red,
And put into the gripe's egg. Lute him well;
And leave him clos'd in balneo." (2.2.49-53)
Not only that but he's also really good at thinking on his feet and improvising. (Kind of like an actor—is this Ben Jonson's way of saying that actors are con artists?)
Also, he certainly "has skill at recognizing things that aren't obvious." Like any good scammer, he recognizes weakness and capitalizes on it.
He's able to read people and figure out what really motivates them. When Dapper shows up and asks Subtle to use a little magic to help him win at gambling, Subtle manages to convince the guy that he can live a much larger and exciting life. In fact, he's destined for it. Just check out how he talks about Dapper:
"Marry, to be so importunate for one
That, when he has it, will undo you all:
He'll win up all the money i' the town.
[…]
Yes, and blow up gamester after gamester,
As they do crackers in a puppet-play.
If I do give him a familiar,
Give you him all you play for; never set him:
For he will have it." (1.2.112-121)
Oh, yeah: Subtle also assets that the Queen of Fairies is going to make Dapper extra stinking rich.
And sure, Subtle's not exactly "hard to notice or see"…but he does like to disguise himself.
What's interesting about Subtle is that he also wants to transform himself into something nobler than he actually is. In reality, Subtle was once a homeless beggar but, for a brief time, he's able to transform himself into a brilliant alchemist who's respected and admired.