Volpone: What's Inside in Context

Volpone
Study Guide by Course Hero
What's Inside d In Context
j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1

Renaissance Art
d In Context ..................................................................................................... 1
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Europe experienced a
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 2 cultural shift that became known as the Renaissance, meaning
rebirth. Renaissance art marked a departure from the classical
h Characters .................................................................................................. 3
techniques of the Middle Ages, and it celebrated individual
k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 6 talent and composition. Artists like Italian painters and
sculptors Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo rose to
c Scene Summaries .................................................................................. 10 prominence as artistic focus moved away from generic,
religious symbols in favor of naturalism, showcasing a subject's
g Quotes ........................................................................................................ 25
details and characteristics. Artists became known for their
l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 27 talents and often vied for a royal commission, such as the paid
position held by Jonson under King James I. The Renaissance
m Themes ...................................................................................................... 28 infused art into every aspect of people's lives. Where society
had previously valued religious virtue and modesty above all
e Suggested Reading .............................................................................. 29 else, the naturalist movement favored detail, flamboyance, and
individualism. For the first time, people became interested in
their self-images, crafting unique wardrobes and personal
style, much the way Lady Politick does in Volpone.
j Book Basics
One of the main characteristics of Renaissance literature was
AUTHOR the author's desire to change society using words. This was
Ben Jonson made possible thanks to the invention of the printing press in
1439. People no longer had to travel to their churches or town
FIRST PERFORMED halls for a crier to read them the news. They could read the
c. 1606 news, editorials, and imagined stories from the comfort of their
own homes. The desire to inspire social change can clearly be
GENRE
seen in Jonson's moral messages, including the lesson about
Satire
greed delivered at the end of Volpone.
ABOUT THE TITLE
The English Renaissance differed from the Italian Renaissance
Volpone refers to the play's main character. Occasionally, the
in its religious views. As England experienced a religious
play is titled Volpone; or the Fox, as a way to remind audiences
reformation—transforming from a Catholic to Protestant
of the play's tie to animal fables.
nation—English artists questioned religious authority and man's
relationship with God. In Italy, however, society moved away
Volpone Study Guide Author Biography 2
from religious texts in favor of rediscovered philosophical texts

that focused on human interaction. Style
Volpone is written with a clear nod to the animal fables written
Renaissance Venice by Aesop, a Greek slave believed to have lived in the 6th
century BCE. Animal fables are typically short, allegorical
stories starring animals whose foolish behaviors lead to moral
Venice, where Volpone is set, flourished during the
lessons. The fables often include the stereotypical trickster
Renaissance thanks in large part to its geographical position.
fox, deceptive snake, or brave lion. Volpone functions as an
Its trade routes connected Europe to Asia and the Arab nation
animal fable first by giving the characters animalistic
for the first time. Venice became a trading hub for merchants
names—Volpone is the fox, Mosca is the fly, Voltore is the
from around the world. Its markets boasted goods from Egypt,
vulture, Corbaccio is the crow, and Corvino is the raven. But it
Spain, Byzantium (modern-day Turkey, Greece, and Syria),
also ensures the audience understands the clear moral
France, and England. Venice was also home to the world's
message: greed will destroy a person. In this animal fable,
largest banking system, confirming its reputation as the
three legacy-hunters greedily circle a dying man in the hopes
wealthiest city in the world. Venetians paid exorbitant taxes on
of snatching up his wealth when he dies. Jonson creates
their income, which often led to corruption. Additionally, with its
strong parallel images to the legacy-hunters as carrion birds
multicultural population, society was influenced by cultures
circling an animal, waiting for it to die so they can feast on its
around the world, creating a more liberal society than what
carcass. The dying animal, of course, is a trickster fox that
was found in most of Europe at the time.
fools the birds out of their much-desired "meat."
Volpone is also clearly written as satire, a literary style that

The Great Chain of Being uses exaggeration and farce to highlight the weakness or
flaws in a society. Voltore's over-the-top courtroom
One philosophy to emerge from the Renaissance was known performances criticize the corruption of law, Corvino's
as The Great Chain of Being. This philosophy essentially treatment of Celia criticizes society's view of women, and
asserted that everything on earth has a place of belonging Volpone's insatiable greed highlights the corruption of one's
preordained by God. The general hierarchy saw stones and morality.
minerals at the bottom, followed by vegetation, animals,
humans, and divine bodies such as angels. Within each
grouping was its own hierarchy: slaves, for example, were well
below merchants in the human hierarchy, who were well below
a Author Biography
royalty. The social hierarchy was so entrenched that people
believed any attempt to change social order was an unnatural
betrayal of divine order. Early Life
This belief helps explain the legacy-hunters' outrage over
The turbulent life of British poet and playwright Ben Jonson
Mosca's attempt to be seen as a nobleman at the end of
began on June 11, 1572, two months after his father's death. No
Volpone. However, the Renaissance also provided merchants
surviving records remain of the names of Jonson's parents,
and tradesmen the opportunity to work for wealthy patrons, as
and little is known of his early childhood, except that he grew
individual talents became valued. Much like artists, merchants
up poor. Despite this situation, an unknown benefactor
and tradesmen could hone their craft, make a name for
secured him a spot at the prestigious Westminster School, one
themselves, and potentially earn a lot of money. Money
of the most elite academies in England, where he completed
afforded them the opportunity to change their living conditions
his education. His mother married Robert Brett, a bricklayer,
and better their social standing. Some men even made enough
whom Jonson worked alongside. Unsuited to life as a
money to buy themselves political titles, as the audience learns
bricklayer, Jonson spent a short time serving in the British
Sir Politick has done in Volpone when he refers to himself as a
army before securing a place in the theater company of
"poor knight."
influential theatrical entrepreneur Philip Henslowe.
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Volpone Study Guide Characters 3
letter T to ensure the court would not offer such leniency for a
Early Works second offense.
Jonson's reached critical acclaim with the production of his Perhaps not learning from the mistake of his previous satire, in
first great play, Every Man in His Humor (1598). The play drew 1601 Jonson produced his play The Poetaster, which mocked
the attention of King James I, who offered Jonson royal the work of rivals John Marston and Thomas Dekker. In
patronage or sponsorship. Over the next 15 years, Jonson response, Marston and Dekker released the scathing
wrote and produced some of his most famous works, including Satiromastix (1601), which portrayed Jonson as a talentless
Volpone (1606) and The Alchemist (1610). A 1598 production of creep desperate to elevate his status at the cost of his peers.
Every Man in His Humor included English playwright William His plays Sejanus (1603) and Eastward Ho (1605) both resulted
Shakespeare in the cast, further evidence of a reported close in Jonson being questioned by the government on charges of
friendship between the two playwrights. In 1616 King James I "popery and treason," although to modern scholars, the reason
offered Jonson a pension of 100 marks a year, bestowing upon for the charges remains unknown. Toward the end of his
the playwright the honor of being England's first poet laureate. masque career, Jonson's jealousy over set designer Inigo
Jones's sensational contributions caused the pair to end their
professional relationship.
Masques
From 1605–34 Jonson regularly contributed theatrical Death and Legacy
masques—elaborate parties in which disguised guests brought
their host a gift and participated in choreographed dances—to By 1623 Jonson had fallen out of favor in the royal court, and
the royal court. Under Jonson's influence, masques began to he struggled to produce new work. He suffered a stroke in
take on greater theatrical flair. Whereas masques previously 1628, which essentially left him bedridden. He died a few years
were little more than a procession of gifts and dancing, later on August 6, 1637, and was entombed at Westminster
Jonson's masques introduced lyric drama and elaborate Abbey. Jonson is widely heralded as "one of the most vigorous
stages, designed by stage designer Inigo Jones. Jonson also minds that ever added to the strength of English literature." His
created the antimasque, which featured grotesque satire and legacy is second only to William Shakespeare himself as the
comedy rather than elegant dance and music. most influential dramatist of the 17th century.
Controversy h Characters
Despite his courtly prestige, Jonson's quick temper and volatile
nature earned him many enemies. In 1597 Jonson was arrested
for co-writing a seditious—intentionally controversial—play, Isle Volpone
of Dogs. No copy of the play exists today, but scholars
generally believe the play satirized the monarchy, and even Volpone, known as "the Fox," is the play's titular character. A
Queen Elizabeth I herself. Jonson was charged with "lewd and wealthy nobleman without an heir, Volpone devotes his time to
mutinous behavior." Jailed alongside Jonson were two of the the hedonistic pursuits of sex, food, and money. Rather than
play's actors, Robert Shaa and Gabriel Spenser. In 1598, the working a trade to earn his fortune, Volpone would much rather
same year as his first theatrical success, Jonson killed Gabriel live as a trickster or conman. During the play, Volpone dupes
Spenser in a duel. Although sentenced to death by hanging, three wealthy businessmen into thinking he is close to death so
Jonson managed to escape by claiming an arcane procedure they will lavish him with expensive gifts in the hopes of being
called "benefit of clergy," in which priests—or those with named his heir. Through Volpone's con, it becomes clear to the
religious education—can claim exclusion from secular courts. audience what Volpone actually treasures is his ability to
To prove his case, Jonson requested a Latin Bible and read manipulate others. Rather than enjoy the wealth once he's
from it fluently. The court did, however, brand him with the earned it, Volpone would rather risk losing everything just to

gloat one last time. While Volpone's con against the greedy to put Celia behind bars. He corroborates the story that Celia
legacy-hunters seems comedic, his attempted rape of Celia is having an affair with Bonario and had plotted to kill Volpone.
casts his character in a much darker light. At the end of the At the end of the play, Corvino loses his fortune and his
play, Volpone seems deserving of his terrible fate. beautiful wife.
Mosca Corbaccio
Mosca begins the play as a true "parasite," clinging to Corbaccio—"the Crow"—is a doddering old man who hopes to
Volpone's wealth and status. As the play progresses, the live longer than Volpone and be named his heir. Stooped from
audience sees that Mosca, not Volpone, is the true mastermind age, and nearly deaf and blind, Corbaccio's dulled senses
of the con, convincing each of the legacy-hunters to hand over symbolize his dulled morality. Whenever he visits, Corbaccio
their most prized possessions. When Volpone wins his game, delights in hearing details of Volpone's worsening condition. He
Mosca urges him to leave well enough alone, but Volpone even brings a vial of "medicine," which Mosca believes to be
cannot miss the chance to gloat one last time. When Mosca poison intended to hasten Volpone's death. Although
sees his opportunity to con Volpone himself, he lures Volpone Corbaccio knows his own death is near, he seeks Volpone's
into a "fox trap" in which he tricks his master out of his fortune. fortune to ensure his son Bonario's future. However, Corbaccio
Although Mosca succeeds in proving to the audience he is the is only too eager to disinherit Bonario in favor of Volpone
true fox, he doesn't escape the same disastrous fate as his because he believes Volpone will return the favor. He
master. conspires with Voltore and Corvino to lie in court, and ends up
disinherited and alone.
Voltore
Voltore—"the Vulture"—is one of Volpone's legacy-hunters. A
lawyer who specializes in wills, Voltore obsesses over whether
he is Volpone's sole heir, but isn't as active in trying to hasten
Volpone's death as his competition. Voltore gives an
impassioned speech at the courthouse, which results in
Volpone being acquitted of attempted murder, but later tries to
recant his statement. Voltore's about-face appears to be
motivated not by morality, but by jealousy, knowing a parasite
like Mosca inherited what Voltore believed to be his
inheritance. As soon as Voltore believes he may once again be
in the running for the money, he convinces the court he is
possessed.
Corvino
Corvino—"the Raven"—is a successful merchant who uses
violence and abuse to get what he wants. Married to the
beautiful Celia, jealous Corvino locks her in a tower, beats, and
degrades her. When he believes it will better his chances of
being named Volpone's heir, he drags Celia to Volpone's bed
and forces her to sleep with him. After Volpone's attempted
rape of Celia, Corvino conspires with the other legacy-hunters

Character Map
Rivals
Corvino
Jealous merchant
Rivals Rivals
Legacy-
hunter
Legacy-
Voltore hunter Volpone Corbaccio
Eloquent lawyer Greedy trickster Legacy- Elderly nobleman
hunter
Servant
Manipulator
Manipulator
Manipulator
Mosca
Cunning fool
Main Character
Other Major Character
Minor Character

Volpone Study Guide Plot Summary 6
Full Character List Peregrine

Peregrine is an English tourist in Venice
who toys with Sir Politick Would-Be
merely for entertainment.
Character Description
Lady Politick Would-Be is a greedy wife
who uses her beauty as a tool in the
Volpone is a wealthy, conniving
hopes of being named Volpone's heir.
Volpone nobleman whose greed and pleasure Lady Politick
Quick-tempered and violent, Lady
seeking cause him to lose everything. Would-Be
Politick accuses Peregrine of being a
prostitute, and makes false claims
Mosca is a quick-thinking but parasitic against Celia in court.
servant who succumbs to personal
Mosca
greed and attempts to steal his master's
Sir Politick Would-Be is the gullible
fortune.
English knight who pretends to know
everything so no one can take
Sir Politick
Voltore is an eloquent lawyer who trades advantage of him. He comes across as a
Would-Be
Voltore in his morality for the hope of inheriting fool whose ridiculous fabrications
Volpone's fortune. eventually lead to his social
embarrassment.
Corvino is a successful merchant who

Corvino abuses and whores out his wife in an
attempt to inherit Volpone's fortune.
k Plot Summary
Corbaccio is a wealthy old man who
delights in Volpone's worsening health Volpone tells the comedic, satirical story of a wealthy man's
Corbaccio
and attempts to speed along Volpone's
death with poison. attempt to con his greedy business partners.
Androgyno is a hermaphrodite who visits

Androgyno Volpone to entertain him with banter and Act 1
song.
The play opens with Volpone and his servant, Mosca,

Bonario is Corbaccio's son, disinherited discussing Volpone's fortune. For the past few months,
during his father's misguided attempt to
manipulate himself into Volpone's will. Volpone has been tricking his greedy business partners, called
Bonario
Hoping to confront his father about the legacy-hunters, into thinking he will die soon. Without a wife or
slight, Bonario ends up saving Celia from child to inherit Volpone's estate, the three wealthy
Volpone's attempted rape.
businessmen, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, visit Volpone's
sickbed with lavish gifts, each one convinced he will be named
Castrone is a eunuch who visits Volpone
Castrone Volpone's heir. Mosca convinces Corbaccio to disinherit his
to entertain him with banter and song.
own son, naming Volpone his heir, in the hopes Volpone will
return the favor.
Celia is Corvino's beautiful wife, whom
he jealously imprisons, and whom
Celia Volpone lusts after. When Celia refuses
Volpone's advances, he threatens to
rape her.
Act 2
When Mosca makes an off-hand comment about the beauty of
Nano is a dwarf who visits Volpone to
Nano Corvino's wife, Celia, whom he keeps locked in a tower,
entertain him with banter and song.
Volpone desires to see her. Dressed as a traveling medicine
man, Volpone delivers a lengthy speech about his powerful
elixir beneath Celia's window. She drops her handkerchief,
which signals she would like to make a purchase. This

infuriates Corvino, and he threatens to kill her. Back home, disguise and tells the court the truth. They strip Volpone,
Volpone claims to be in love with Celia and wants nothing more Corbaccio, Corvino, and Voltore of their fortunes in addition to
than to sleep with her. Mosca convinces Corvino sleeping with other harsh punishments. Bonario and Celia are set free, and
Celia would restore Volpone's health and ensure he be named Mosca is imprisoned and sent to the galleys.
heir.
Act 3
Ignoring Celia's adamant refusal, Corvino drags his wife to
Volpone's bed and threatens to kill her if she refuses to sleep
with him. At the same time, Corbaccio's son Bonario arrives,
demanding to know why he has been disinherited. Mosca tells
him to hide in the cupboard until his father arrives, during which
time everything will be made clear. Volpone attempts to
seduce Celia into his bed, but when she refuses, he tries to
rape her. Bonario intercedes, saving Celia and discovering
Volpone's virile health.
Act 4
At the courthouse, Voltore gives an impassioned speech
claiming Bonario and Celia were having an affair and plotted to
steal Volpone's fortune. The court finds Bonario and Celia
guilty, while Volpone and the legacy-hunters are released.
Act 5
Rather than appreciate his narrow escape from prison,
Volpone concocts a new plan, in which he fakes his death and,
in disguise, watches the legacy-hunters' shocked reactions
upon learning that Mosca has been named heir. Mosca delivers
the news, and a disguised Volpone delights in harassing and
goading the devastated legacy-hunters.
Everyone reassembles at the courthouse to hear Bonario and

Celia's sentence. Overwhelmed by guilt and disappointment,
Voltore attempts to tell the court the truth, but a still-disguised
Volpone tells him Volpone is still alive. The faked death, he
claims, was a test of Voltore's loyalty. Panicked that he might
lose his chance of being named Volpone's heir, Voltore
collapses to the ground and pretends to be possessed. Mosca,
sensing an opportunity to claim Volpone's fortune as his own,
continues the ruse that he has been named heir. Suddenly
realizing he might lose everything, Volpone removes his

Plot Diagram
Climax
Rising Action 4 Falling Action

6
3
2 7
1
Resolution
Introduction
Falling Action
Introduction
6. Volpone admits the truth to the courts.
1. The legacy-hunters visit Volpone.
Resolution
Rising Action
7. The court administers justice.
2. Volpone attempts to rape Celia.
3. The court judges Celia and Bonario.
4. Volpone fakes his death.
Climax
5. Voltore tries to tell the court the truth.

Timeline of Events
Morning
Volpone's three legacy-hunters visit with gifts.
Soon after
Volpone tries to see Celia through the window.
Shortly after
Volpone attempts to rape Celia, but Bonario intervenes.
That afternoon
Celia and Bonario are tried in court.
Soon after
Volpone fakes his death in order to gloat.
That evening
Mosca attempts to steal Volpone's fortune.
Immediately after
The court sentences the characters.

Volpone Study Guide Scene Summaries 10
Mosca answers the door and reports that one of Volpone's

c Scene Summaries would-be heirs, a lawyer named Voltore, has arrived bearing
the gift of a large, gold plate. Excited, Volpone rushes to bed.
He quickly changes into his furs and drops ointment in his eyes
Act 1, Scene 1 to make them look rheumy. Once Volpone has recreated a
sickbed, Mosca welcomes Voltore into the room.
Summary Analysis
The play opens with Volpone, "the Fox," and his servant Mosca, Continuing the animal symbolism, Volpone drapes himself in
"the Fly," discussing Volpone's incredible wealth. Volpone loves furs, creating an animalistic disguise. He further disguises
his gold more than anything, and he asks Mosca to open the himself with eye drops to look sickly. The disguise is so
shrine so he can gaze upon its beauty. Volpone admires gold in convincing Volpone must remind himself he isn't actually
the same way others admire nature, poetry, or their children. dying—a refrain he utters multiple times in the play. When
He loves acquiring more wealth, although he would never work Voltore arrives, it immediately becomes clear to the audience
a trade to earn it. His current ruse is pretending to be near that he fakes his loyalty to Volpone and only visits in the hopes
death. Because Volpone has no wife or heir, his wealthy of being named heir. Because the legacy-hunters are also
business partners visit his deathbed with lavish gifts, hoping to morally corrupt, the audience can find entertainment in the
buy their way into his will. somewhat cruel ruse that cheats these wealthy businessmen
out of their fortunes.
Analysis
The play's opening scene sets the stage for the dramatic
Act 1, Scene 3
events to follow. Immediately, the animal folklore becomes
apparent as character names are introduced. Volpone is
referred to as "the Fox" and Mosca—whose name literally Summary
translates to "fly"—busily buzzes around while Volpone refers
As Mosca ushers Voltore into the room, he promises Voltore
to him as a "parasite." From the moment Volpone begins to
that Volpone speaks only of him, and that only Voltore's
speak, the audience becomes aware how his obsession with
presence comforts Volpone as he nears death. Pretending to
gold has corrupted his morality. He speaks of a love for gold
be hard of hearing, Volpone pleads weakly for Voltore to join
that, during a period of great religious fervor, would have
him at the bedside. When he sees the golden plate, Volpone
scandalized the Catholic Church. He worships gold as others
thanks Voltore and asks him to visit more often. He promises
worship God, although he has no desire to earn it respectfully.
that Voltore's generosity and "love" will not go unrewarded, and
He would rather, lie, cheat, and con his way to fortune—a sure
that he "cannot last long." Mosca confides that Volpone has
sign of moral decay.
named Voltore his heir, which pleases Voltore greatly. Greedily,
Voltore begs to know, "Am I inscribed his heir for certain?" and,
Act 1, Scene 2 "Am I sole heir?" Mosca assures him the will has been changed,
and Volpone has always admired quick-thinking lawyers.
Delighted, Voltore leaves just as another would-be heir knocks
at the door.
Summary
A dwarf (Nano), a eunuch (Castrone), and a hermaphrodite
(Androgyno) enter Volpone's room to entertain him with banter
and song. A knock on the door cuts short their entertainment.

Analysis Analysis
Voltore's fake care for Volpone continues to show how greed The second legacy-hunter, Corbaccio, a doddering old man,
has corrupted his morality. He pretends to worry about highlights the corruption of morality more clearly than Voltore's
Volpone's condition, but as soon as it becomes apparent that character initially does. Corbaccio openly delights at hearing
Volpone cannot see or hear him, Voltore drops the act and the gory details of Volpone's declining heath. Corbaccio
turns his attention toward Mosca, the keeper of information. himself is old and infirm, so it seems unlikely he would outlive
He demands to know whether legal documents have been Volpone, which explains his delight in Volpone's seemingly
drawn up naming him heir, completely ignoring the "suffering" rapid deterioration. Like a carrion bird feasting on the carcass
Volpone next to him. Mosca, who has been disguising himself of a dead animal, Corbaccio feels strengthened by Volpone's
as a useless servant, also reveals his true nature in this scene. demise: "This makes me young again, a score of years."
His praise of lawyers as quick-thinking, sharp, and good with Further showcasing his corrupt morality, Corbaccio has
words, is actually praise for himself. No matter what brought poison with him to hurry things along, essentially
complication the legacy-hunters throw his way, Mosca thinks acknowledging he would resort to murder for financial gain.
on his feet and manages to continue stringing them along with Corbaccio's greed overrides his respect for human life.
the con even when it seems impossible.
Mosca avoids giving Volpone the poison by claiming he
distrusts medicine: "Most of your doctors are the greater
Act 1, Scene 4 danger." At the time, this was a common perception. Doctors
were often self-trained medicine men, similar to the
mountebank (seller of quack medicines) Volpone impersonates
later in the play, with a large margin for error in their concocted
Summary elixirs. Doctors were often accused of being hired to poison
enemies, including the famous case of Dr. Roderigo Lopez who
Elderly Corbaccio—whom Volpone and Mosca refer to as "the
was accused of attempting to poison Queen Elizabeth, for
Raven"—arrives with a vial of medicine he has brought to
whom Ben Jonson wrote. Because patients didn't necessarily
relieve Volpone's ailments. Immediately, Mosca suspects the
have a trustworthy relationship with doctors, many, like
vial contains poison meant to hasten Volpone's death, and he
Volpone himself, lived in constant fear of getting sick.
avoids giving it to his master by claiming Volpone "has no faith
Throughout the play, Volpone reminds himself he is only
in physic," or medicine. Corbaccio asks for updates on
pretending to be ill.
Volpone's various symptoms, and as Mosca describes each in
horrifying detail, Corbaccio replies, "Good," As it becomes clear
to him that Volpone nears death, Corbaccio says, "Excellent,
excellent, sure I shall outlast him."
Act 1, Scene 5
Because Corbaccio has brought no gift for Volpone, Mosca
warns him other potential heirs have visited with lavish gifts, Summary
but that Volpone doesn't trust them as much as he trusts
Corbaccio. He convinces Corbaccio to name Volpone as his A wealthy merchant named Corvino arrives, bearing gifts of a
heir, promising that Volpone would return the favor. Corbaccio pearl and diamond. Immediately, he asks whether Volpone has
initially rejects the idea of disinheriting his own son, but Mosca died. Mosca laments that Volpone still lives, but spends his
convinces him that because sickly Volpone will certainly die days calling Corvino's name. At Volpone's bedside, Mosca
before Corbaccio, he would actually be ensuring his son casually calls Corvino Volpone's heir, although he says he has
receives two fortunes instead of one. Once again, as been sworn to keep the will secret. He promises he himself
Corbaccio leaves, another legacy-hunter arrives. brought Volpone the ink and parchment to write Corvino's
name as heir. Corvino delights in having Mosca as an ally, and
together they mock Volpone's sickly body, with its "filthy eyes"
and nose "like a common sewer." Mosca grabs a pillow and

acts as if he's going to suffocate Volpone, but Corvino stops

him. At first, Corvino chastises Mosca for resorting to violence Act 2, Scene 1
against Volpone, but before leaving, whispers, "At your
discretion."
Summary
As Corvino leaves, Lady Politick Would-Be, the wife of a
bumbling would-be politician, arrives. Mosca and Volpone Two tourists chat outside Corvino's house, beneath the
discuss the woman's beauty, but Mosca announces that it window of the room where he locks his wife. The men are
pales in comparison to the beauty of Corvino's wife, whom he revealed to be Peregrine, an English traveler, and Sir Politick
calls, "the blazing star of Italy." Corvino keeps his wife hidden Would-Be. As they discuss their various travels, Sir Politick
away as most men hide their gold, but Volpone becomes Would-Be relates an outrageous story he heard about a raven
obsessed with seeing her. He vows to take on a disguise and building a ship for the king. At first, Peregrine thinks Sir Politick
peek through her window later that day. is teasing him, but he quickly realizes gullible Sir Politick
actually believes the story, and that he would probably believe
anything else he heard. To test his theory, Peregrine reports
Analysis back equally absurd stories from England, including news that
the lion kept in the Tower of London has given birth to another
Corvino delights in having Mosca as an ally because he clearly cub, and that porpoises were found swimming up the River
manipulates and cons his master. Corvino, of course, thinks Thames. The men enter into a lengthy conversation about a
Mosca does this for Corvino's gain, never questioning whether spy named Stone who recently died. Sir Politick claims insider
he himself is being conned. Mosca emerges from the back-to- information about how Stone received coded messages hidden
back scenes with the legacy-hunters as a quick-thinking, in food. When Peregrine responds that Stone was illiterate, Sir
intelligent con man. Although his talent is on full display for Politick insists Stone's illiteracy was an invention of the press.
both the legacy-hunters and Volpone himself, no one suspects Peregrine pushes Sir Politick further by claiming that Chinese
Mosca might be duping them. Mosca successfully disguises his baboons were recently discovered to be working as spies. Sir
true nature beneath the ruse of a parasitic servant, pulling off Politick quickly responds with more insider information about
the greatest deception in the play. the baboons. Somewhat sarcastically, Peregrine delights in
having met a man as well-educated and intelligent as Sir
As the legacy-hunters reveal their true nature, they descend
Politick, who could teach him the proper customs and
from most to least moral. Although Corbaccio also delights in
behaviors of the city.
Volpone's declining health, Corvino's response is even darker
as he disrespectfully mocks Volpone's deteriorating body,
insulting his gruesome appearance. Corvino's nasty treatment
of Volpone showcases his cruel nature. Later in the play, the
Analysis
audience witnesses his abusive treatment of his wife, and his
The relationship between Sir Politick Would-Be and Peregrine
complete disregard for her humanity.
makes up the play's subplot. As Englishmen, they stand out
from the Venetian cast and live in fear of being taken
When Lady Politick Would-Be arrives, Volpone has tired of
advantage of in their new environment. In this way, the subplot
visiting with suitors, so she is dismissed. Volpone and Mosca
continues the theme of corruption as the tourists fear being
discuss women, creating the first comparison between the role
corrupted by trickster Venetians like Volpone. Even Sir Politick
of English women (Lady Politick Would-Be) whose husbands
and Peregrine suspect the other of trying to dupe him. For
trust them enough to cavort around Venice unattended, and
example, Peregrine genuinely cannot decide whether Sir
Italian women like Corvino's wife Celia, whom he literally keeps
Politick Would-Be is incredibly gullible, or is tricking him into
locked in a tower.
thinking he's gullible. To test his theory, Peregrine tricks Sir
Politick into believing absurd news stories coming from
England. In this relationship, one deception leads to another,
much like the audience will see in the relationship between

Volpone and Mosca.

Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 2
Summary
Corvino bursts onto the scene yelling and breaks up the crowd.
Summary He is irate that the mountebank has set up near his property,
and that his wife has dropped her handkerchief. Sir Politick
Sir Politick Would-Be and Peregrine's conversation is
wonders if Corvino's outburst is actually a trick being played
interrupted by the arrival of two workers, actually Mosca and
against him because he suspects someone has been spying on
Nano in disguise, setting up a stage for Volpone disguised as a
him. An amused Peregrine vows to spend more time with Sir
mountebank (medicine man) beneath Corvino's window.
Politick, if only for entertainment.
Volpone begins his animated speech to a growing crowd,
describing the many ailments his oils can treat, including
"cramps, convulsions, paralyses, epilepsies." He sells his
medicine for eight crowns, which Peregrine notes is quite
Analysis
expensive. Volpone insists the oil is worth the high price
This short scene serves to remind the audience of Corvino and
because it's practically "miraculous" for all it can treat. Despite
Sir Politick's characters. Corvino reacts violently to the
claiming his six servants cannot make the medicine fast
mountebank outside his property, screaming about the devil
enough to meet demand, Volpone drops the price to only a few
and physically breaking up the crowd. Immediately, Sir Politick
pennies, and promises the first person to throw a handkerchief
wonders whether Corvino is an actor or spy sent to trick him.
on the stage a special gift. Corvino's wife Celia leans out the
To Sir Politick, and arguably the audience, Venice is a hotbed
window and drops her handkerchief.
of corruption.
Analysis
Act 2, Scene 4
Volpone's performance as a mountebank continues the theme
of corruption. Desiring to sleep with Corvino's wife, Volpone
dons a new disguise, taps into a different part of his Summary
personality—this time energetic and animated—and
manipulates the situation to get Celia to interact with him. Just Back at home, a heartsick Volpone claims to have been
as Mosca altered his speeches with the legacy-hunters, so "wounded" by the "blows" of an "angry Cupid," and that he has
does Volpone read his audience and change his tactics to fallen in love with Celia. He feels he cannot live without her.
manipulate them into giving him what he wants. For example, Mosca promises Volpone a "release of torment," to which
when he sees no one is interested in his elixir for full price, he Volpone hastily offers his wealth to be used at Mosca's
drops the price down to pennies without the audience losing discretion.
their trust in his character. Once again, Volpone's speech
about the many ailments his imaginary elixir can cure cues
readers into his real fears of illness and dying. For all his pomp, Analysis
Volpone reveals himself to be somewhat insecure, even
superstitious, that something bad might happen to him. Although Volpone barely glanced at Celia through the window,
he claims to be irrevocably in love with her. This reaction
highlights Volpone's impulsive, selfish nature. As soon as he
sees her, he alters his conniving plans as she becomes a prize
more interesting to him than gold. Despite his obsession with
money, Volpone flippantly tells Mosca to use whatever he

wants to ensure he obtains Celia. Through statements such as lives.

these, the audience realizes Volpone actually desires power
over others more than money, casting him closer to evil
Corvino's character than the rest. Act 2, Scene 6
Act 2, Scene 5 Summary

Mosca arrives at Corvino's with the news that the
Summary mountebank's oil has cured Volpone. Corvino's rage grows as
he vows to kill the mountebank, crying that the ingredients can
Corvino berates Celia for making a scene with the "city's be nothing more than "roasted ... marrow." Mosca continues
fool"—the mountebank—at a "public window." He accuses his that since it was Corbaccio and Voltore who bought the
wife of being attracted to the mountebank's wealth and healing oil, they have moved into Volpone's good graces. Now
wanting to "mount" him. Enraged by the perceived infidelity, he healed, Volpone desires a woman, "lusty, and full of juice" to
raises his sword to strike her. She shrinks away and begs him sleep with. Mosca hints that if Corvino could secure such a
to "be appeased!" Rather than beating her, Corvino swears to woman, he might once again find himself in Volpone's favor. At
board up the "bawdy light"—her window—and keep her further first, Corvino suggests a "common courtesan" or the virgin
imprisoned. He vows to draw a line on the ground that, if daughter of his physician, but Mosca rejects these selections.
crossed, will conjure "more hell, more horror" than she could He suggests it would be better if the woman were one whom
ever imagine. He calls her a "whore" and threatens to make her Corvino "commands." Nodding, Corvino suggests his own wife.
a corpse for anatomical study. Mosca agrees that Volpone would be delighted with this
selection, and leaves to prepare his master.
Analysis
Analysis
Through Corvino's violent, abusive treatment of Celia, the
audience witnesses the absolute corruption of morality. Mosca and Corvino's discussion about an appropriate woman
Corvino's greed and jealousy have turned him into a monster, for Volpone highlights the perceived role of women in 17th-
and he no longer sees his wife as human. Although the century Italy. Mosca encourages Corvino to find a woman he
previous scenes in the play dealt with dark subject matter, this "commands," conjuring images of the way men command dogs
disturbing scene ceases to be lighthearted or comedic. It is the or slaves. Neither man considers the woman's consent
first glimpse into the message Jonson gives his audience about because women were treated as property—men had all the
the dangers of avarice. power and women simply did their bidding. During his initial
conversation with Mosca, Corvino threatened to kill the
This scene also gives insight into Jonson's perception of the mountebank. So far, Corvino has threatened to kill Volpone,
role of women in marriage. Because the play is satire, every Celia, Celia's entire family, and the mountebank, which
stereotype is over the top, and Corvino's character is no highlights his extreme disregard for humanity.
exception. At the time, Italian men in English theater were
depicted as violent and jealous. Jonson's portrayal of Corvino Corvino's eventual suggestion of Celia as the "lusty" woman
exceeds this stereotype by presenting a psychopath who after his violent outrage against her in the previous scene
would rather kill wife's entire family than be embarrassed by again highlights his corrupted morality. Mosca essentially
his "property" again. Throughout his lambast of Celia, Corvino forces Corvino to choose between his wife or money.
mentions a variety of ailments, including "itching ears," and the Unsurprisingly, Corvino chooses money, showing just how
graphic description of Celia's body on an autopsy table. These much greed has corrupted him. Mosca knows Corvino would
images, like Volpone's imagined conditions, symbolize the true do anything to be named Volpone's heir.
disease—corrupted morality—that threatens the characters'

Act 2, Scene 7 Summary

Mosca bumps into Bonario, the son of Corbaccio. Upper-class
Bonario has no interest in conversing with a commoner like
Summary Mosca, whom he claims makes his living through "sloth" and
"flattery." Mosca pretends to weep at the accusations, causing
Corvino calls Celia, who weeps in another room. Corvino tries
Bonario to apologize. To prove his "goodness and true virtue,"
to convince Celia he isn't jealous, and that he'll prove how
Mosca confides in Bonario that his father plans to disinherit
much he trusts her. He tells her to put on her best dress and
him. Initially, Bonario refuses to believe Mosca's "unnatural"
jewels, and prepare to travel with him to Volpone's house.
tale, but Mosca convinces him to hide at Volpone's house
where he will witness the deed firsthand.
Analysis
Like so many other characters, Corvino adopts a role,
Analysis
disguising his true nature to get Celia to do what he wants. The
The interaction between Bonario and Mosca highlights class
audience has already seen Corvino's corrupted morality—he is
differences. Bonario initially dismisses a conversation with
jealous, violent, and controlling. Now, he tells Celia the outburst
Mosca because he's from a lower class. Even Mosca agrees
was a test. He speaks kindly to her, manipulating her into
Bonario is "unequal to me," but swears he would never engage
joining him at Volpone's house.
in dishonest activities for money. This statement is comical
because, of course, dishonest behavior is the only way Mosca
and Volpone make money.
Act 3, Scene 1
It is unclear why Mosca tells Bonario about Corbaccio's plan to
disinherit him. Neither Mosca nor Volpone stands to gain
Summary anything from Bonario knowing the plan, and his knowledge
actually complicates things. Mosca's admission highlights how
Leaving Corvino's house, Mosca delights in his success. He Volpone's greed is not actually about money, but power.
praises his manipulation skills, feeling overwhelming joy at his Volpone and Mosca both delight in their ability to manipulate. It
"excellent nature," calling himself a "fine, elegant rascal." is possible Mosca admits the plan to Bonario in retaliation for
Bonario's insult against his character. Mosca manipulates
Bonario to prove he is better or smarter than the man who
Analysis looks down on him.
In this monologue, the audience sees how Mosca's confidence

grows. He believes himself "limber" enough to sneak out of any Act 3, Scene 3
situation like a "subtle snake." He came from nothing, having
"no family, no care" yet he possesses the "prosperous parts" to
manipulate the most powerful men. Mosca's pride echoes
Volpone's pride in Act 1, Scene 1, setting both characters up to
Summary
fall.
At home, Volpone wonders why Mosca is taking so long to
return. Nano, Castrone, and Androgyno join to entertain him,
but Volpone shoos them away when Lady Politick Would-Be
Act 3, Scene 2 arrives. Volpone admits to feeling "torment" during Lady
Politick's visits, worrying that spending too much time with her
might "expel [his] appetite" for Celia.

legacy-hunters do, it's clear Volpone hopes to receive another

Analysis gift from Lady Politick—sex. To Volpone, women offer no other
value to men than sexual pleasure. If they aren't doing that,
Volpone again compares the English Lady Politick and Italian
Volpone wishes they would sit in silence, as Celia does.
Celia based on the stereotypes of women's roles. Although he
finds himself attracted to both women, he clearly prefers the
traditionally silent, obedient Celia to the more liberated,
talkative Lady Politick. After making his decision, however,
Act 3, Scene 5
Volpone launches into an annoyed diatribe against Lady
Politick, calling her "tedious," once again highlighting his fickle,
impulsive nature. Summary
When Mosca finally arrives, Volpone begs him to get rid of
Act 3, Scene 4 Lady Politick at any cost. Mosca tells Lady Politick he just saw
her husband walking down the street with a beautiful
courtesan, and that if she hurries, she might still catch them. As
Lady Politick rushes out, Mosca instructs Volpone to prepare
Summary for Celia's arrival.
Before entering Volpone's bedchambers, Lady Politick calls for

two of her ladies to fix her hair and makeup, worrying the
Italians will think an English woman like herself doesn't know
Analysis
how to dress fashionably. Lady Politick enters Volpone's room
This scene contrasts jealousy and infidelity in two marriages.
and the two discuss their dreams. To stop her talking, Volpone
Compared to Corvino's response to Celia's supposed infidelity,
croaks that he is too weak to discuss dreams. Lady Politick
Lady Politick's reaction to Mosca's news that Sir Politick was in
begins listing various remedies she could concoct for him,
the company of a prostitute is portrayed as emotional and
which further annoys Volpone. He tries to offer Lady Politick a
hysterical. She never questions the reliability of information,
drink so she'll leave, but this only starts her blathering about
but rushes into the street to confront her husband. Audiences
various drink recipes she knows. When Volpone suggests a
likely laughed at Lady Politick's reaction because, at the time,
woman's greatest grace is her silence, Lady Politick talks at
women's emotions were not taken seriously, and Lady
length about different poets.
Politick's jealousy would be considered comical rather than
tragic.
Analysis
Just like her husband, Lady Politick longs to be seen as proper,
Act 3, Scene 6
educated, and cosmopolitan. And just like her husband, this
vanity leads to her look like a fool. She obviously doesn't pick
up social cues, misunderstands literary references, and would Summary
rather listen to herself talk about her vast knowledge than
engage in a meaningful conversation. As Volpone prepares, Mosca leads Bonario into the room and
shows him where to hide.
The conversation between Volpone and Lady Politick
highlights the 17th century's rampant sexism. Volpone cannot
stand Lady Politick because she talks too much, which he Analysis
interprets as a weakness in her character. This contrasts with
Volpone's views of another talkative character—Mosca—whose If the other characters are players in the ruse Mosca has
nonstop prattle Volpone views as an asset. Because Lady created, he has become the director. Mosca, the "parasitic"
Politick doesn't have wealth to offer Volpone, as the other servant, controls the outcomes of nearly everyone's lives:

Volpone, Celia, Bonario, Corbaccio, etc. Clearly, Mosca has all rather as an object to be obtained. His violent demand—"Yield,
the power, although he disguises it in his role as a lowly or I'll force thee"—parallels Corvino's violent control of his wife.
servant. Although Volpone doesn't describe in graphic detail the ways
in which he will force Celia, he doesn't have to. Corvino's
violent imagery lingers, allowing the audience to view the male
Act 3, Scene 7 character's dominance over the female in tandem. Both men's
treatment of Celia is equally heinous.
Interestingly, Volpone doesn't immediately resort to force. He

Summary first tries to convince Celia to sleep with him willingly. When
this fails, Volpone ups the rhetoric, just as he did when posing
Corvino and Celia arrive earlier than Mosca expected. Mosca
as the mountebank, offering Celia absurd, impossible gifts
rushes back to where Bonario hides and urges him to wait in
such as "the brains of peacocks," "the milk of unicorns," and
the library for his father's arrival. Bonario looks suspiciously at
"panthers' breath." Not only do these offerings highlight
Mosca, but agrees. Meanwhile, Corvino admits the true reason
Volpone's desperation, they also highlight his true desire:
he brought Celia to Volpone's house—for her to sleep with him.
power. In previous scenes, Volpone seemed obsessed with
Celia tries to convince her husband the plan doesn't make
wealth, but in reality, he would pay any price and lose any
sense. There are plenty of other ways she can prove her
fortune for this power. There is little difference between
loyalty. Seeing that his wife will not willingly agree, Corvino
Volpone and Corvino: both simply want to control Celia. At the
drags her to Volpone's bed. Mosca and Volpone arrive, with
same time, Jonson portrays Volpone as a fool. Jonson's moral
Mosca telling Volpone of Corvino's generous gift. Celia pleads
lesson to audiences is that greed corrupts the soul and turns
with the men not to force her into Volpone's bed, but Corvino
one into a fool. Volpone, whose avarice corrupts his morality in
continues to threaten her with physical violence and invented
this scene, can be seen singing and dancing in his attempt to
crimes: "I'll ... cry thee a strumpet through the streets; rip up thy
seduce Celia. All the other singing and dancing in the play has
mouth ... and slit thy nose, like a raw rotchet!"
been performed by the fools—Nano, Androgyno, and Castrone.
Volpone's ridiculous behavior casts him alongside the other
Overcome with lust, Volpone leaps off the couch and tries to
social outcasts.
convince Celia to sleep with him out of revenge, claiming her
husband is willing to sell her for financial gain. He claims her
beauty has revived him, and he would do anything for her love.
He offers her priceless, but unobtainable, gifts. When Celia Act 3, Scene 8
rejects Volpone's advances, he seems confused: "Thou hast, in
place of a base husband, found a worthy lover." Again, Celia
pleads with Volpone that if he has a conscience, he should Summary
leave her alone. If he will not let her go, Celia asks that he kill
her rather than continue to shame her. Enraged, Volpone Mosca enters bleeding, having been stabbed by Bonario as he
orders, "Yield, or I'll force thee." As Volpone advances toward and Celia escaped. Volpone and Mosca wonder what will
Celia, Bonario leaps from his hiding place and demands happen to them. Fearing the worst, Mosca asks Volpone to kill
Volpone release Celia or else he'll alert everyone to Volpone's him. Just then, someone knocks at the door. The men assume
deception. He takes Celia's hand and they flee, leaving Volpone it is guards coming to arrest them, but it turns out to be
to fear his future. Corbaccio.
Analysis Analysis
This scene provides a turning point for Volpone's character. Celia and Bonario represent religious morality. Just before
His attempted rape of Celia shows how lust for power has Volpone leaps upon Celia, she cries out to God to save her.
corrupted his morality. He does not value Celia as a person, but Bonario—whose name literally means goodness—jumps from

his hiding place to save Celia—whose name means heaven. Corbaccio needs Volpone to die as quickly as possible, even if
The two moral characters escape unscathed, yet their it doesn't happen naturally. Corvino's corrupt morality is
presence reveals Volpone's corruption. Volpone has no qualms revealed through his inhumane treatment of Celia, and
about destroying the lives of two blameless people in his quest Corbaccio's is revealed through his murderous request. Only
for power. Nevertheless, Volpone quickly realizes his plan has Voltore clings to his humanity, although audiences prepare for
gone terribly awry. Everything seems out of control, and for the this legacy-hunter to join the others on the dark side.
first time, Volpone fears consequences to his terrible actions.
Act 4, Scene 1
Act 3, Scene 9
Summary
Summary
Sir Politick and Peregrine meet in the street, with Sir Politick
As soon as Corbaccio enters the room and sees Mosca giving Peregrine lots of useless advice about how to pass as a
bleeding, Mosca shouts that Bonario stormed into the house local. He warns Peregrine that, as an Englishman, people will
after discovering Corbaccio's plan to make Volpone his heir, trick him often, and that he should remain "very reserved" when
and that he tried to kill them. Corbaccio swears this act of meeting new people, lest he open himself to ridicule. Sir
violence will "disinherit him indeed" and he eagerly hands Politick advises Peregrine to learn about the proper hour to eat
Mosca his will. He inquires after Volpone's health, and when certain fruits, and which forks or glasses to use, and to avoid
Mosca admits Volpone's health is improving, Corbaccio embarrassing topics like fables and religion. Sir Politick then
suggests Mosca poison him. Just then, Voltore arrives and brags about his many business ventures, which at first he vows
demands to know why Corbaccio has given Mosca a new will. to keep secret from Peregrine, but then immediately divulges.
Thinking quickly, Mosca claims Corbaccio was trying to buy He then asks Peregrine not to reveal his business plans to
himself into Volpone's will by making Volpone his heir, and that others as he hopes to meet with the government soon to pitch
Volpone only accepted to pad the fortune he would be leaving his ideas, including how to prevent shipyards from attack, and
to Voltore. Mosca also claims Bonario arrived with Celia and how to prevent the plague from reaching Italy. Later, Peregrine
threatened to kill them all if Mosca didn't testify that Volpone reads a passage from Sir Politick's diary, which describes even
tried to rape Celia. All of this, he claims, fits into Bonario's the most boring details of his day.
master plan to defeat them all and steal their fortunes.
Scandalized, Voltore orders Mosca to fetch Corvino and meet
him at the courthouse to stop Bonario's evil plan. Analysis
This lighthearted scene between Sir Politick and Peregrine
Analysis offers a little comic relief after the preceding dark and violent
scenes. Again, the majority of the conversation deals with the
Now that Volpone has completely lost control of his plan, he recurring idea of gullibility and avoiding tricksters. This
relies solely on Mosca's manipulations. The power balance has becomes humorous when the audience remembers Mosca has
shifted entirely. Volpone no longer calls the shots that Mosca tricked Lady Politick into believing Sir Politick has hired a
carries out. Instead, Mosca takes the reins and becomes the prostitute. Sir Politick's advice on how to behave in Venice
master manipulator. He concocts plans to keep both gives further insight into the English stereotypes of Italian
Corbaccio and Voltore on the hook, while masterminding a excess.
legal plan to ensure Volpone stays out of prison.
In another comic twist, Sir Politick warns Peregrine to avoid
Corbaccio reveals his corrupt morality by demanding that embarrassing topics like animal fables while in Venice. This
Mosca poison Volpone once and for all "today." Corbaccio statement is, of course, tongue-in-cheek as Jonson has
cannot risk Volpone's health improving. As an old, infirm man, constructed the entire play to function as a large-scale animal

fable.
Summary
Mosca arrives and tells Lady Politick the prostitute he saw with
Act 4, Scene 2 her husband has been arrested. Mortified, Lady Politick
apologizes to Peregrine for the mistaken identity, and wonders
where her good judgment has gone. She rushes to the
Summary courthouse to see the prostitute—Celia—stating her claims
against Volpone. Meanwhile, Peregrine plots to seek revenge
Lady Politick arrives, searching for her husband with the against Sir Politick for the embarrassment this incident has
courtesan. She spots Sir Politick and Peregrine in the distance, caused him.
immediately assuming Peregrine is a female prostitute dressed
in men's clothing. As she approaches, Sir Politick tries to
introduce Peregrine, but Lady Politick launches into a verbal Analysis
attack against her husband for his "poor judgment" and
dishonor in breaking his marital oath. Confused, Sir Politick Once again, Mosca's quick thinking manipulates those around
stands by as Lady Politick calls Peregrine a "lewd harlot" and him into ensuring Volpone reaches his aim. This time, Volpone's
"female devil," claiming she will not fight her in the street aim is to escape punishment for his attempted rape of Celia.
because it would be unladylike. Suddenly horrified, Sir Politick For the first time, the storylines converge as it becomes clear
admits to Peregrine that if he is, in fact, a hermaphrodite or Mosca will use Lady Politick's impulsive, rash jealousy to falsely
prostitute, they can no longer spend time together. Peregrine accuse Celia.
tries to leave, but Lady Politick prevents him.
Peregrine's decision to trick Sir Politick, despite knowing this is
Sir Politick's greatest fear, shows he has been corrupted by
Analysis Venetian culture. Peregrine, who started the play as a good-
hearted English traveler, will now transform into the very
Lady Politick's reaction to Peregrine supports the stereotype trickster he had hoped to avoid during his travels.
that women are hysterical, irrational creatures who need men
to keep them in line. Obsessed with her appearance, Lady
Politick, who desperately wants to be seen as an upper-class, Act 4, Scene 4
cosmopolitan woman, feels devastated her husband would
sleep with a prostitute, despite the fact she offered herself for
money to Volpone in earlier scenes. The exchange becomes Summary
even more humorous when modern audiences remember
female actresses did not exist during the Renaissance. Lady Mosca meets with Corbaccio, Corvino, and Voltore to go over
Politick herself would have been played by a male actor in a the story they will tell the court. Privately, Corvino confides in
dress—exactly what she accuses Peregrine of being. Mosca a fear that Voltore's defense will make him Volpone's
heir, but Mosca insists they are simply using Voltore for his
Forever gullible and fearing being duped, Sir Politick recoils in
courtroom experience. Mosca must jump between each of the
horror when he suspects Peregrine has been tricking him into
nervous men to confirm that they alone are Volpone's heir, and
thinking he's a man. This reminds audiences of the foolishness
the other men are simply pawns in the plan.
in Sir Politick's character.
Analysis
Act 4, Scene 3
As Mosca arranges the story that will be told in court, he
emerges as the play's protagonist. By this point, the audience
has lost sympathy for Volpone after his attack against Celia,

but more importantly, Mosca asserts his independence. He is role of women as second-class citizens in Venetian society.
no longer a "parasite" serving the master. He has become the Although Celia's testimony about what happened with Volpone
master, controlling those around him like puppets. Mosca's is truthful, the court believes her to be too hysterical and
manipulative control over the legacy-hunters is so complete emotional to be believed. She laments, "I would I could forget I
that not even being in the same room together causes any of were a creature," which basically means, "I wish I could forget I
them to question whether they are Volpone's sole heir. were alive." The court, and society at large, finds such little
value in women Celia wishes she could die.
Act 4, Scene 5
Act 4, Scene 6
Summary
Summary
In the courthouse, four advocates (lawyers) discuss the nature
of the story just told to them by Celia and Bonario. Voltore has Lady Politick enters the courtroom and immediately calls Celia
arrived to represent Volpone in court, claiming his client too a "chameleon harlot" before apologizing to the court for losing
sick to appear himself. However, the court demands Volpone's her cool and embarrassing women everywhere. The court asks
presence. Voltore begins his defense of Volpone's actions, Bonario and Celia what proof they have of their innocence, but
claiming Bonario and Celia have been having an affair, and that they have none. Volpone arrives, once again pretending to be ill
while Celia's "easy husband" forgave her indiscretions, and infirm. Enraged, Bonario demands Volpone be tested for
Bonario's father chose to disinherit him. Upon learning his illness, but Voltore argues such tests would be akin to torture.
father was in a meeting with Volpone, Voltore asserts the The lawyers agree, deciding Volpone simply doesn't have the
enraged Bonario broke into Volpone's home in the hopes of strength to rape someone, and decide Bonario and Celia
murdering his father. When he couldn't find him, he abused should be imprisoned. The lawyers apologize for the
weak, ill Volpone, attacked Mosca, and concocted the plan to inconvenience caused to Volpone, and thank Voltore for his
discredit all the men in court. great service to the court.
One by one, the men take the stand to testify that Bonario and
Celia were having an affair and working together to discredit Analysis
Volpone. Corvino's testimony against Celia is so damning, she
nearly faints. Voltore accuses Celia of not only having an affair None of the legacy-hunters gives a second thought to the
with Bonario, but also of trying to prostitute herself to a devastation they have just caused Bonario and Celia. Not even
traveler—Sir Politick—and that his wife will testify to this truth. Corbaccio feels guilty about jailing his only son. Corbaccio's
moral corruption has deepened since the opening scenes. He
initially waivered on whether or not he should disinherit
Analysis Bonario, and only decided to do so because he hoped it would
increase the fortune he would eventually leave his son. Now,
This scene reveals Voltore's moral corruption. Previously, Corbaccio has not only disinherited his son willingly, but he has
Voltore was the only legacy-hunter clinging to a modicum of also participated in the lies that lead to Bonario's
morality, but he sells his soul in court in the hopes of remaining imprisonment.
on Volpone's good side. Voltore perjures himself, turning his
back on his identity as a lawyer, spinning a wild lie that will Once again, Volpone must resort to disguise to get what he
imprison two innocent people, just to increase his fortune. wants. His performance in court is so convincing, the judges
Voltore's speech symbolizes not only his moral corruption, but don't even order tests of Volpone's health. They simply accept
also the corruption that plagued Renaissance Venice, where that he would be too weak to rape someone, a subjective
power and justice were commodities to be bought and sold. decision that further devalues women's bodies and stories.
The court's reaction to Celia's testimony further explores the

Act 5, Scene 1 Analysis

Volpone's avarice careens out of control. Even Mosca
recognizes Volpone's narrow escape in court and warns him
Summary that another "jig" now would be reckless, but Volpone doesn't
heed his servant's advice. The two men have essentially
Back in his room, Volpone speaks in monologue about his
swapped roles as Volpone proves himself to be nothing more
experience in court. He admits faking illness was easy in
than a fool. His new plan further highlights how he never lusted
private, but more difficult than he expected in public. Once, his
after money. Rather, Volpone greedily pursues power over
leg cramped so badly he feared "some power" had struck him
others, which casts him as a sociopath similar to Corvino, for
with a real illness. Now, all he wants to do is drink wine and plot
whom power is of utmost importance. Volpone stands to gain
a new entertainment that will "possess [him] with a violent
nothing from his new con, except the satisfaction of seeing the
laughter."
devastation and disappointment on the legacy-hunters' faces
when they realize they have been duped.
Analysis Although Mosca goes along with Volpone's new plan, his
dissatisfaction with his master begins to surface. Mosca has
Volpone's fear of being struck down with a real disease
pulled off an unbelievably difficult feat, yet Volpone isn't
symbolizes his moral corruption. He has barely escaped a rape
satisfied. He wants more, risking the security Mosca has
conviction, and has participated in the wrongful imprisonment
worked so hard to maintain. This dissatisfaction foreshadows
of two innocent people. So, motivated by his lust for power, he
Mosca's eventual betrayal of Volpone as he attempts to strike
immediately begins hatching a new plan to ruin people's lives
it rich on his own.
for entertainment.
Act 5, Scene 2 Act 5, Scene 3
Summary
Summary
The legacy-hunters arrive one-by-one, each eagerly waiting to
Mosca enters, and the two spend some time rehashing their
hear themselves named heir, but Mosca ignores them all,
"masterpiece" deception, delighting in their ability to trick the
slowly taking inventory of Volpone's estate. Finally, Voltore
court, condemn the innocent, and walk away scot-free.
asks to see the will and announces in shock that Mosca has
Volpone suggests the plot was more pleasurable than if he had
been named heir. Each confronts Mosca, who reminds them of
slept with Celia. Mosca admits their plan would have failed
their sins, and how he could ruin their lies. He reminds Lady
without Voltore's courtroom skills, but Volpone brushes the
Politick she offered sexual favors in exchange for Volpone's
idea off. Even though Volpone only just escaped rape charges,
fortune. He reminds Corbaccio he disinherited his own son and
he quickly concocts another "jig" and orders Mosca to tell his
perjured himself in court. Then he reminds Corvino he tried to
business partners he has died. Once Voltore, Corbaccio,
prostitute his wife. Voltore initially thinks Mosca will finally
Corvino, and Lady Politick come running, Mosca should
admit Voltore as the true heir once the others have gone, but
announce he himself has been named Volpone's sole heir.
Mosca simply thanks Voltore for his service, promising to call if
Mosca changes into fancier clothes, while Volpone signs a
he ever needs a lawyer in the future. Shocked, Voltore leaves.
blank will and creeps into a hiding spot where he can witness
Once everyone is gone, Volpone leaps from his hiding spot and
the legacy-hunters' shocked reactions.
praises Mosca's villainy.

Although funny, this scene also contains a foreshadowing of

Analysis Volpone's ultimate demise. Mosca, like Peregrine, uses his
victim's vices to his own advantage. Whereas Peregrine
Mosca easily slips into the role of a gentleman despite his
manipulates Sir Politick's gullibility and self-importance in his
humble background, giving great insight into Renaissance
ruse, Mosca will manipulate Volpone's avarice. Just as
social hierarchy. Despite Mosca's odd behavior, not one of the
Peregrine removes his disguise and speaks the truth, the
legacy-hunters considers even for a moment he has been
audience can safely expect Volpone to do the same.
duped. When they discover the so-called truth that Mosca has
been named heir, they are outraged not only at being tricked,
but that the parasitic servant should usurp them. Similar to the
social snobbery Bonario showed Mosca in Act 3, Scene 2,
Act 5, Scene 5
each legacy-hunter expresses his readiness to fight the will in
court. Mastermind Mosca reminds each man he could reveal
damning evidence about his character should the inheritance Summary
be challenged.
Both Mosca and Volpone are in disguise—Mosca as an
aristocrat and Volpone as a knight. When Volpone leaves the
Act 5, Scene 4 room, Mosca admits to hatching his own plot against Volpone.
With Volpone pretending to be dead, he will force his master to
share some of his fortune with him or reveal the entire ruse: "I'll
bury him, or gain by him." He calls his plan "the fox trap."
Summary
Peregrine arrives at Sir Politick's house in disguise, hoping to
exact revenge on Sir Politick for the embarrassment on the
Analysis
street. Disguised as a police officer, Peregrine claims to have a
Mosca's "fox trap" creates a new animal fable within the larger
warrant for Sir Politick's arrest. The charges assert that Sir
moral tale about greed. Just as in traditional fables, Mosca,
Politick planned to sell Venice to the Ottomans. Peregrine
"the fly," will trick stronger, smarter animals out of their meal.
claims more officers will be arriving any moment to search Sir
Mosca's decision to betray Volpone belies two changes in his
Politick's papers. Horrified, Sir Politick orders his servants to
character. First, he has outgrown his servant role after
burn his papers before curling up and hiding under a large
experiencing such unappreciated success during his masterful
tortoise shell. The merchants Peregrine has hired to act as
schemes. Second, he has succumbed to greed. In Act 5, Scene
officers arrive. Peregrine encourages the merchants to
2, Mosca suggested Voltore be paid for his intelligent
torment Sir Politick by searching around and standing on the
contribution to the courtroom plot, but Volpone brushes off the
tortoise shell. Eventually, the merchants reveal Sir Politick
request. In that moment, Mosca realizes Volpone will likely
underneath, and Peregrine announces they are now even.
never financially reward him for his cunning contributions. After
Later, one of Lady Politick's servants announces that Lady
taking stock of Volpone's fortune in Scene 3, Mosca realizes
Politick has been very depressed today.
how much he stands to lose, and that if he wants to claim the
fortune for himself, he must act now.
Analysis
Once again, the scene between Sir Politick and Peregrine
Act 5, Scene 6
infuses the play with humor. This storyline mirrors that of
Volpone and the legacy-hunters through its use of disguise,
control, and gullibility. Sir Politick's choice of hiding spot—a Summary
tortoise shell—brings to mind the theme of animal fables. Sir
Politick is dim-witted and slow, much like a tortoise. The disguised Volpone bumps into Corvino and Corbaccio on
the street. He pretends to have heard that they inherited

Volpone's estate, further enraging the already angry men. He threatens to beat the disguised Volpone, but decides against it
mocks their money and insults Celia as a "very woman" (a as they are so close to the courthouse.
common woman) before leaving.
Analysis
Analysis
Once again, the rage shown by Corvino and Corbaccio has
Once again, Volpone's embarrassing treatment of the legacy- less to do with losing a fortune and more to do with being
hunters demonstrates his greed for control rather than money. duped by someone from a lower class. The legacy-hunters are
This highlights how reckless his behavior has become, and with outraged that Volpone's con has destroyed the natural social
the knowledge of Mosca's plan, prepares the audience for his order. The characters' extreme reactions comically highlight
downfall. the absurdity of such rigid social order.
Act 5, Scene 7 Act 5, Scene 9
Summary Summary
Volpone next bumps into Voltore, whom he treats in the same Voltore reenters the scene and insults Mosca, calling him a
mocking way as Corvino and Corbaccio. Volpone expresses "flesh-fly." Volpone offers to beat up Mosca, claiming that
outrage at being bested by a "parasite" like Mosca. Volpone "flesh-fly" like Mosca should never have been able to outsmart
pretends to have learned of Voltore inheriting Volpone's an educated lawyer like Voltore. Voltore begs Volpone just to
fortune, and even asks if he can rent one of the homes Voltore leave him alone.
inherited. Confused, Voltore leaves.
Analysis
Analysis
This scene reiterates the imagery of Mosca as a fly besting
Voltore's outrage about being tricked by a "parasite" deepens more powerful animals. Volpone continues unabated in his
the message of the animal fable. A vulture and a parasite are insatiable goading of the legacy-hunters, reminding the
actually similar in that they feast on other animals to survive. audience how he has abandoned all semblance of self-control.
The difference, of course, is that a parasite feeds off a living
host, while a vulture waits until the animal has died. This
mirrors Voltore and Mosca's relationship with Volpone, and Act 5, Scene 10
Voltore seems to realize he made a terrible mistake.
Summary
Act 5, Scene 8
Voltore marches to the courthouse where the lawyers have
gathered with Corbaccio and Corvino to sentence Bonario and
Summary Celia. The disguised Volpone follows behind. Voltore launches
into an apology, claiming he lied to the court earlier, and that
Corvino and Corbaccio reenter the scene, as Mosca arrives Mosca was behind the entire plan. Terrified of being found out,
dressed as an aristocrat. Volpone continues to taunt the men, Corvino and Corbaccio claim Voltore is lying, and that he might
mocking them for being outwitted by a "parasite" like Mosca. even be possessed. The disguised Volpone offers to find
He calls Corvino a "cuckold" and a bad businessman. Corvino Mosca and bring him to the courthouse to defend himself

against Voltore's accusations. Voltore has prepared a written

statement with proof of his story, but Corvino and Corbaccio Act 5, Scene 12
claim the court cannot believe anything the devil possessed
Voltore to write.
Summary
Analysis Volpone rushes back to the courtroom where Voltore
continues his confession to the confused court. Volpone pulls
Voltore attempts to regain his morality by telling the court the Voltore aside and tells him Volpone is still alive, and that his
truth—he lied, and Bonario and Celia are innocent. It is unclear "death" was a ruse to test Voltore's loyalty. Horrified, Voltore
whether a guilty conscience or anger over the destroyed social attempts to recant his statement. Clinging to the accusation of
order prompted Voltore to recant his statement, but he possession, Voltore falls to the ground writhing and wailing.
nevertheless does the moral thing and tells the truth. Not Corbaccio and Corvino insist this proves Voltore is possessed
surprisingly, the court accepts Voltore's testimony, despite and that the court cannot admit his written confession. The
dismissing Celia's testimony as too hysterical and emotional to court agrees. Mosca arrives and announces Volpone's funeral.
be allowed simply because she is a woman. Once again, Volpone realizes that Mosca intends to go forward with the
Voltore's imaginary ailment symbolizes his diseased morality. funeral as a way of cheating him out of his fortune. He quietly
offers to split his fortune with Mosca, but Mosca refuses: he
wants more than half. Mosca, who in the court's eyes is now a
Act 5, Scene 11 wealthy man, claims Volpone is annoying him, so the court
orders Volpone removed. Realizing Mosca has betrayed him,
Volpone tears off his disguise and reveals his true identity. He
Summary announces he has been fooling the legacy-hunters for years.

With no other choice, the court clears the charges against
Bonario and Celia, releasing them.
Outside the courthouse, Volpone laments to the audience that
he should have listened to Mosca and ended the ruse when he
The court sentences Mosca to life in the galleys, and after
was cleared of the rape charges. He has created his own
stripping him of his fortune, sentences Volpone to life in prison.
destruction by perpetuating the game and faking his own
Voltore is disbarred and banished. Corbaccio's fortune is given
death. When he reaches his house, he finds his servants
to Bonario, and Corbaccio is further sentenced to
outside. They claim Mosca ordered them out and that he left
imprisonment in a monastery. Corvino's marriage to Celia is
with the keys.
dissolved, and he is sentenced to dress up as a donkey and be
paraded around town. Volpone addresses the audience and
asks for applause if they enjoyed the play.
Analysis
Upon returning home, Volpone recognizes his error. He sees
for the first time the danger he has placed himself in by losing
Analysis
control of his avarice. He recognizes that by ignoring Mosca's
When Volpone reveals his true identity to the court, he does so
advice to quit while he was ahead, he disrespected the true
not only to save his fortune, but to restore the social order. As
mastermind of the con, making himself vulnerable. He spent
he whips off his disguise, Volpone chastises Mosca, saying,
the entire play praising Mosca's ability to manipulate those
"My substance shall not glue you, nor screw you into a family,"
around him for financial gain, and now realizes he will be the
suggesting his true outrage at Mosca attempting to make a
next victim.
social leap off Volpone's back. He reiterates to the court that
Mosca is nothing more than a "fool, and knave." This sentiment
echoes the outrage of the legacy-hunters who seemed more
upset over being usurped by a "parasite" than losing their
fortunes.

Volpone Study Guide Quotes 25
Each character's punishment perfectly reflects their corrupt

"A wench of the first year ... Bright
morality. Volpone is sentenced to life in a tiny cell where he will
be locked away from his pleasures in life: power, gold, and as your gold, and lovely as your
women. Voltore is disbarred, Corbaccio loses his fortune, and
gold!"
Corvino is publicly humiliated. The virtuous characters, on the
other hand, are rewarded with their greatest desires: Bonario is
given his father's estate, and Celia is granted freedom from her — Mosca, Act 1, Scene 5
abusive husband. Mosca is given the harshest sentence of all.
This seems fitting due to his role as the mastermind in the con, Mosca compares Celia to money, highlighting Volpone's
but it also reflects Renaissance social order. Mosca is greedy desire for both. This comparison also symbolizes how a
punished for his corruption of the social order by woman is considered property—in the play Celia is bought and
impersonating a nobleman. For the Venetian court, this crime is sold—rather than human.
clearly worse than facilitating an attempted rape.
In the end, Jonson delivers a clear moral message to the

audience: greed will lead to a person's downfall. With this
"This fellow, does he gull me, trow,
message plainly received, Volpone politely asks the audience or is gull'd?"
for applause, reminding everyone the play was a large-scale
disguise, or trick, to deliver the message.
— Peregrine, Act 2, Scene 1
g Quotes Peregrine genuinely cannot decipher whether Sir Politick

Would-Be is as gullible as he seems, or whether he's tricking
Peregrine into believing he is gullible. This highlights the
relationship of duping others, and fearing being duped, that
"What a rare punishment is avarice
permeates the play.
to itself!"
— Volpone, Act 1, Scene 4 "More hell, more horror, more wild,

remorseless rage shall seize on
Volpone mocks the greed of the legacy-hunters, suggesting
they are deserving of their punishment and fate. This comment
thee."
foreshadows his own punishment at the end of the novel, when
he falls victim to his own greed and loses control. — Corvino, Act 2, Scene 3
Corvino's threat to Celia showcases his corrupted morality. Not

"This makes me young again, a only is Corvino a sociopath who jealously threatens and
abuses his wife, he uses her fear of him to control her. Despite
score of years."
threatening to kill her in this scene, Corvino happily whores
Celia out to Volpone in the hopes of increasing his wealth.
— Corbaccio, Act 1, Scene 4
Like a true carrion bird, Corbaccio strengthens himself from "No, it must be one that has no
the misfortune —or death—of those around him. He "feeds" off
Volpone's wasting body, and it makes him feel younger and
tricks, sir ... Some wench you may
stronger. command."

Volpone Study Guide Quotes 26
— Mosca, Act 2, Scene 6

"Yield, or I'll force thee."
Mosca manipulates Corvino's sense of entitlement and control — Volpone, Act 3, Scene 7
over Celia to convince him to allow Volpone to sleep with her.
Mosca's assertion, and Corvino's easy acceptance, highlights
This quotation marks the turning point in Volpone's character.
how women are treated as second-class citizens.
Whereas his previous exploits were somewhat comical, his
greed has corrupted his morality. As he attempts to rape Celia,
he is cast alongside the evil, controlling villain Corvino.
"I fear I shall begin to grow in love
with my dear self."
"I would I could forget I were a
creature."
Mosca recognizes himself as the mastermind behind Volpone's — Celia, Act 4, Scene 5
success. He acknowledges that even though he came from
nothing, he has the power to manipulate and control more
Celia's lament in court reminds readers that Renaissance
powerful and important men.
women had no voice or agency in their lives. Although she
speaks the truth, the court refuses to believe her because she
is a woman. Celia wishes she could die.
"[The] highest female grace is
silence."
"'Fore God, my left leg began to
— Volpone, Act 3, Scene 4
have the cramp."
Volpone makes this joke to the audience during one of Lady — Volpone, Act 5, Scene 1
Politick Would-Be's annoying visits. The comment not only
gives deeper insight into Lady Politick's vain, clueless nature, it
Volpone's corrupted morality has started to affect him
also highlights how Renaissance culture valued silent, obedient
physically, as his imaginary diseases symbolically begin
women.
producing real-life ailments.
"Honor! ... There's no such thing in

"I'll bury him, or gain by him: I am
nature."
his heir."
— Corvino, Act 3, Scene 7
Corvino's chastisement of Celia's request for honor as

Mosca realizes Volpone will never fully appreciate—or
unnatural reminds readers that Volpone is an animal fable.
financially reward—him as the mastermind that garnered his
Mosca has created a dog-eat-dog world where only the
fortune. Mosca knows he must use his manipulative skills to
strongest and cleverest will survive.
take what he believes he deserves from his "master."

Volpone Study Guide Symbols 27
Celia's attention when disguised as a mountebank (medicine

"Outstripped thus, by a parasite!"
man), detailing horrific ailments and diseases only his
imaginary elixir could cure. In this way, imagined disease
— Voltore, Act 5, Scene 7
foreshadows Volpone's loss of morality.
For his part, Voltore attempts to redeem his conscience by

Voltore's incredulous response to being duped by a servant
coming clean to the court about his lies. When he learns he
highlights Renaissance social order. The legacy-hunters
may still be in the running for Volpone's fortune, however, he
appear more outraged that Mosca—a parasite—should be
feigns spiritual disease—possession—so his truthful testimony
named heir than they are over losing their fortune. This
will be thrown out. Voltore, like Volpone, uses imaginary
comment also reminds readers that Volpone is an animal fable,
disease to his advantage, symbolizing his loss of morality.
in which a small animal—in this case a fly—tricks stronger
animals out of a meal.
Venice
"My substance shall not glue you,
nor screw you into a family."
The city of Venice, the play's setting, symbolizes greed. At the
— Volpone, Act 5, Scene 12 time of the play's publication, English audiences had an
incredibly stereotypical view of Venetians as gluttonous,
amoral, sensual, and corrupt. For these reasons, Venice
Just like Voltore in the previous quote, Volpone's outrage
seemed the perfect setting for Jonson's fable about the
stems from Mosca's desire to jump social order and make
dangers of greed. The effect of Venetian culture can best be
himself a nobleman. Rather than feel betrayed by Mosca's lies,
seen in the subplot storyline of Sir Politick Would-Be and
Volpone cannot stand the shame of a parasite stealing his
Peregrine. Peregrine, an English tourist, comes under Sir
fortune.
Politick's wing as he attempts to teach the new arrival how to
survive in Venice without losing his English culture. Sir Politick
warns, for example, that everyone in Venice will try to gull, or
l Symbols
take advantage of, Peregrine. His statement foreshadows
Peregrine's transformation from a traditional Englishman to a
Venetian through his somewhat cruel prank against Sir Politick,
in which he pretends to be the police. Not only do the Venetian
Disease characters of Volpone, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino
highlight the characteristics of Jonson's Venice, so do the
Englishmen who fall victim to amoral Venetian ways.
Disease symbolizes immorality in Volpone. Although Volpone

regularly uses imaginary diseases as a comedic way to trick
those around him, the descriptions of disease suggest not only Animal Names
a physical wasting, but a moral wasting as well. Volpone
pretends his disease has made him lethargic, glassy-eyed, and
deaf. As a result, the three legacy-hunters increase the
In many ways, Volpone is a retelling of the classic animal fable
intensity of their bids for his inheritance. The closer Volpone
in which a trickster fox cons three birds of prey out of a meal.
gets to death, the more complex his lies, and the darker his
Jonson clearly depicts each of the characters in traditional
morality becomes. He tricks Corbaccio into disinheriting his
fable roles: Volpone is "the Fox," or trickster, Mosca is "the Fly"
son, and convinces Corvino to let him sleep with Celia.
buzzing around the other animals' ears putting plans in place.
Arguably, the darkest moment in Volpone's morality is when he
The three legacy-hunters—Voltore "the Vulture," Corvino "the
attempts to rape Celia. Readers will remember he first caught

Volpone Study Guide Themes 28
Crow," and Corbaccio "the Raven"—flutter around the carcass to itself."

(or soon to be carcass, in Volpone's case) stalking their next
meal.
By highlighting the animal nature of many characters, Jonson Animal Fables

emphasizes how inhumanely they treat one another. The moral
characters, Bonario and Celia, are given celestial names
without animal references. Just as fables leave readers with
In traditional animal fables, the trickster fox cheats the birds of
simple moral messages, so does Volpone—greed will lead to
prey out of the next meal, and in Volpone, the trickster cheats
one's undoing.
the legacy-hunters out of their fortune. In the food chain of the
animal kingdom, the mammal would die, the carrion birds would
feast on the carcass, and the insects would devour what was
m Themes left. The "trick" of the play seems to be set up the same way:
Volpone would die, the legacy-hunters would fight for his
fortune, and Mosca would be left with whatever scraps the
victor chose to throw him. But this natural order is turned
Greed and Corruption upside down by the characters' unnatural greed. From the
beginning, Volpone dupes the legacy-hunters, but when he
greedily binges on the pleasure of their suffering, he makes
himself vulnerable to Mosca's attack. Sensing an opportunity
With the exception of Bonario and Celia, all the characters in
to feast on the entire carcass himself, the fly usurps the
Volpone are motivated by greed. Characters lust for what they
carrion birds. In doing so, the natural order is so destroyed that
do not have—money, sex, or power. The primary lesson the
Volpone confesses everything, leaving everyone open to the
audience learns from the character's insatiable greed is that it
court's harsh punishment.
turns respected men into fools. The characters' greed
ultimately leads to their moral corruption. This is best seen
through Volpone's greed. At the beginning of the play, Volpone
plots to steal wealth from his business partners. Because the
legacy-hunters are also greedy and morally corrupt enough to
Women's Roles
encourage Volpone's death, the exchanges remain
lighthearted and comical. However, Volpone's desire to obtain
what isn't his morally corrupts his character, and with Celia's In the 17th century, men performed all business roles, were
attempted rape, he transforms from a comical fox into a violent considered "masters" of their house, and ruled over their wives
predator. and daughters. Volpone presents two different views of
marriage through the relationships of Corvino and Celia, and
Similarly, the legacy-hunters who plot against innocent Celia Sir and Lady Politick Would-Be. The relationship between
and malign her in court have become morally corrupt in their Corvino and Celia is an example of a traditional Venetian
pursuit of money. Corvino, especially, will stop at nothing to be marriage, in which the man holds all the power—and is
named Volpone's heir, even forcing his wife into violent sexual corrupted by it—while the virtuous woman quietly suffers.
exploits for financial gain. Corruption through greed can also Jonson takes the stereotypical depiction of a jealous,
be seen in Voltore's abandonment of law. He joins the other controlling Italian husband to the extreme, with Corvino locking
legacy-hunters in creating false testimony under oath, although his beautiful wife in a tower and forbidding her from standing
he later attempts to retract his dishonest statements. too close to the window. He verbally berates and threatens his
However, as soon as Mosca informs him he may yet be named wife when he suspects infidelity, calling her a "whore" and
Volpone's heir, Voltore recants the truth and claims to be threatening to stab her with his sword for dropping a
possessed by the devil. The harsh punishments doled out to handkerchief out the window. When Celia refuses to willingly
the characters at the end of the play remind audiences of sleep with Volpone, Corvino again threatens her life and drags
Volpone's foreshadowing: "What a rare punishment is avarice her to Volpone's bed.

Volpone Study Guide Suggested Reading 29
In court, the audience sees how Italian society distrusts even

the most virtuous and obedient of women. Simply because of
her sex, Celia is perceived as too emotional and hysterical to
give believable testimony. This absurdity is contrasted by the
court's admittance of Voltore's testimony even as he writhes
on the ground and claims to be possessed by the devil. At the
end of the play, Volpone receives his punishment not for
attempted rape, but for deceiving the legacy-hunters,
furthering the idea that the experiences and trauma of women
are considered unimportant compared to the crimes against
men.
The marriage between Sir and Lady Politick Would-Be is quite

different. Lady Politick is an independent woman who travels
around Italy without her husband's companionship, speaks
freely and openly with men, and concocts her own plan to
weasel her way into Volpone's will. Although afforded more
freedoms, Jonson's portrayal of Lady Politick Would-Be is
equally negative. She talks incessantly, to everyone's
annoyance, with Volpone even suggesting her idle prattle
makes him sick. Far more than Celia, Lady Politick Would-Be
represents a woman's emotional hysteria, such as when she
accuses Peregrine of being a prostitute in disguise, and blindly
accuses Celia in court without evidence.
e Suggested Reading
Barton, Anne. Ben Jonson: Dramatist. Cambridge UP, 1984.
Donaldson, Ian. Ben Jonson: A Life. Oxford UP, 2012.
Harp, Richard, and Stanley Stewart, editors. The Cambridge

Companion to Ben Jonson. Cambridge UP, 2001.
Loewenstein, Joseph. Ben Jonson and Possessive Authorship.

Cambridge UP, 2002.
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Volpone

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What's Inside d In Context

j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1

from religious texts in favor of rediscovered philosophical texts

Volpone is also clearly written as satire, a literary style that

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Other Major Character

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Full Character List Peregrine

Corvino is a successful merchant who

Androgyno is a hermaphrodite who visits

The play opens with Volpone and his servant, Mosca,

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Everyone reassembles at the courthouse to hear Bonario and

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Rising Action 4 Falling Action

3. The court judges Celia and Bonario.

4. Volpone fakes his death.

5. Voltore tries to tell the court the truth.

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Volpone's three legacy-hunters visit with gifts.

Volpone tries to see Celia through the window.

Volpone attempts to rape Celia, but Bonario intervenes.

Celia and Bonario are tried in court.

Volpone fakes his death in order to gloat.

Mosca attempts to steal Volpone's fortune.

The court sentences the characters.

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Mosca answers the door and reports that one of Volpone's

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acts as if he's going to suffocate Volpone, but Corvino stops

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Volpone and Mosca.

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wants to ensure he obtains Celia. Through statements such as lives.

Act 2, Scene 5 Summary

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Act 2, Scene 7 Summary

In this monologue, the audience sees how Mosca's confidence

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legacy-hunters do, it's clear Volpone hopes to receive another

Before entering Volpone's bedchambers, Lady Politick calls for

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Interestingly, Volpone doesn't immediately resort to force. He

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The court's reaction to Celia's testimony further explores the

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Act 5, Scene 1 Analysis

Act 5, Scene 2 Act 5, Scene 3

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Although funny, this scene also contains a foreshadowing of

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