Pertinax Surly
Quote 1
"Alchemy is a pretty kind of game, / Somewhat like tricks o' the cards, to cheat a man / With charming." (2.3.180-182)
Preach, Surly. Everything you're saying is 100% true. But the fact that he mentions that alchemy is "pretty" and "charming" seems to reference that other pretty, charming way to trick a man—by showing him a play and letting him believe (for a few hours, at least) that it's real. Alchemy, like theater, is a lot of fun.