Volpone: Ben Jonson’s Masterpiece of Greed and Deception
Volpone, written by English playwright Ben Jonson in 1606, stands as one of the sharpest and most enduring satirical comedies of the early modern stage. Set in Venice—a city symbolic of wealth and corruption—Jonson weaves a darkly comic tale of greed, manipulation, and human folly. The play offers biting commentary on the extremes people will go to for riches and serves as a timeless critique of moral decay beneath the surface of civility.
📜 Plot Summary
The name Volpone means "the fox" in Italian, fitting for the cunning and manipulative protagonist. Volpone, a wealthy Venetian nobleman with no heirs, pretends to be on his deathbed to trick legacy hunters into showering him with gifts in hopes of being named his sole heir.
He is aided by his clever and unscrupulous servant, Mosca ("the fly"), who plays the suitors against one another—Voltore (the vulture), Corbaccio (the raven), and Corvino (the crow)—each of whom represents a different form of greed and moral degradation.
The ruse spirals out of control when Volpone, taking his schemes further, attempts to seduce Corvino’s wife, Celia, leading to a courtroom climax and a final reversal of fortune.
🎭 Characters and Symbolism
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Volpone – The "fox"; a trickster figure who thrives on deception. His lust for gold and manipulation is at the heart of the play.
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Mosca – The "fly"; a parasite who flatters and manipulates everyone, including his master, until he tries to outfox the fox.
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Voltore, Corbaccio, Corvino – Named after carrion birds, these legacy hunters are grotesque parodies of lawyers, old men, and jealous husbands, embodying greed and hypocrisy.
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Celia – The virtuous and tragic figure in a sea of vice, representing innocence and virtue under threat.
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Bonario – Corbaccio’s son and Celia’s unlikely protector, symbolizing honesty and youthful integrity.
The animal names reflect Jonson’s use of beast fable traditions, linking each character to their basest instincts.
🧠 Themes
1. Greed and Corruption
Greed is the engine of Volpone. The characters' willingness to betray morals, family, and dignity for wealth is portrayed as grotesque and laughable.
2. Deception and Performance
Volpone and Mosca’s cons rely on performance, lies, and theatricality, blurring the line between acting and reality. Jonson critiques a society where appearances matter more than truth.
3. Justice and Morality
Though the play is rife with vice, Jonson ultimately restores moral order. The deceivers are punished, though not without a satirical jab at how long the legal system takes to act.
✍️ Style and Legacy
Jonson’s sharp wit, elaborate language, and tight structure showcase his mastery of classical unities—time, place, and action. The play's blend of satire and farce, combined with clever wordplay, makes it a standout in Renaissance drama.
Volpone influenced generations of playwrights and remains a favorite for modern reinterpretation, often staged with contemporary parallels to corporate greed, political corruption, and celebrity culture.
🎬 Modern Relevance
Even over 400 years later, Volpone feels strikingly modern. The satire of fake illness (or image management), bribery, and exploitation resonates in today’s world of influencers, billionaires, and scandals. In an age where manipulation can be monetized, Jonson’s cautionary tale still bites.
✅ Conclusion
Volpone is more than a comedy of errors—it’s a sophisticated social commentary disguised as a farce. Through animals in human clothing, Ben Jonson holds up a mirror to human greed, making Volpone as compelling and thought-provoking today as it was in the 17th century.
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