Character Analysis
Surly's Mammon's pal. He's obnoxious…but he's also dead right. He knows that alchemy is a bunch of boloney and makes it his mission in life to reveal that Subtle, Face, and Doll are a bunch of swindlers.
Of course, because we love watching Subtle, Face and Doll do their thing, that means we're rooting against Surly. (Plus, his name's Surly. That's not a name that makes you think, "Hey, this guy seems swell.")
When he's introduced to Face and Subtle, he knows right away that they're conmen and totally calls them out on their b.s.
"Alchemy is a pretty kind of game, / Somewhat like tricks o' the cards, to cheat a man / With charming." (2.3.180-182)
He also seems to be the only character (aside from Subtle and Face) who knows that Doll's a prostitute. Check out what he says the very first time he catches a glimpse of Doll:
"Heart, this is a bawdy-house! I will be burnt else." (2.3.226)
Translation: Not only are Subtle and Face pretending to be skilled of the art of alchemy, they're also using Lovewit's home as a brothel.
Like the name "Surly" suggests, the dude's got a seriously bad attitude and likes to argue with everyone. While we're on the topic of this character's name, you should also know that in Latin, "pertinax" means the following: "persistent, firm, mean, stubborn, obstinate." (Source)
In other words, this guy is like a dog with a bone when he makes it his mission in life to expose our three protagonists as frauds. (If you ask us, his behavior's a little pathological.) He even goes so far as to disguise himself as a wealthy Spanish count so he can get the drop on the conmen so he can rat them out to Dame Pliant.
So, even though Surly is pretty smart and sees right through the scams, he's one of the least likeable characters in this play. Is it because he's so smug and argumentative? Is it because he acts as the antagonist to Subtle, Face, and Doll? What's your take on what makes Surly unlikable?