How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
TRI. Ay; but stay,
This act of coining, is it lawful?ANA. Lawful!
We know no magistrate: or, if we did,
This is foreign coin.SUB. It is no coining, sir.
It is but casting.TRI. Ha! you distinguish well:
Casting of money may be lawful.ANA. 'Tis, sir.
TRI. Truly, I take it so. (3.2.170-181)
Transforming metal into coin is illegal, but transforming metal into coin is…legal? Nope: the Anabaptists are just being shystie. They're making distinctions between two identical acts of forgery, just because they want to believe so badly in the legality of making counterfeit coins. Hmm—maybe the act of turning doubt into belief is an act of transformation too?
Quote #2
MAM. I will have all my beds blown up, not stuft;
Down is too hard: and then, mine oval room
Fill'd with such pictures as Tiberius took
From Elephantis, and dull Aretine
But coldly imitated. Then, my glasses
Cut in more subtle angles, to disperse
And multiply the figures, as I walk
Naked between my succubæ.
[…]
Where I spy
A wealthy citizen, or [a] rich lawyer,
Have a sublim'd pure wife, unto that fellow
I'll send a thousand pound to be my cuckold. (2.2.57-73)
Mammon is a blowhard. But he's a blowhard with a huge imagination. He is able to paint himself such a convincing picture of his own transformation—from nobody to studly rich guy—that he's willing for fork over all his dough.
Quote #3
"Sir, you were wont to affect mirth and wit—
But here's no place to talk on't i' the street.
Give me but leave to make the best of my fortune,
And only pardon me thi' abuse of your house:
It's all I beg. I'll help you to a widow,
In recompense, that you shall give me thanks for,
Will make you seven years younger, and a rich one.
'Tis but your putting on a Spanish cloak:
I have her within. You need not fear the house;
It was not visited." (5.3.121-130)
Oh look—an actual honest-to-goodness transformation is taking place. Face/Jeremy manages to transform his master's life in a matter of mere minutes. Lovewit gets a wife and some extra walking-around money. Transformations can actually occur…often with the help of shady butlers.