BEN JONSON’S VOLPONE: A SATIRICAL MASTERPIECE (1590-1798)
Ben Jonson’s Volpone (1606) is a brilliant satirical comedy that exposes greed, deception, and moral corruption in early 17th-century society. Set in Venice, a city often associated with luxury and vice, the play follows the cunning Volpone ("the Fox") and his sly servant Mosca ("the Fly") as they manipulate a group of avaricious legacy hunters. Through sharp wit and exaggerated characters, Jonson critiques human folly and the destructive power of materialism.
Plot and Themes
The central plot revolves around Volpone’s scheme to feign a terminal illness, tricking wealthy men—Corbaccio, Corvino, and Voltore—into offering extravagant gifts in hopes of inheriting his fortune. Each character embodies a different vice: Corbaccio (a greedy old man) disinherits his own son, Corvino (a jealous merchant) prostitutes his wife, and Voltore (a corrupt lawyer) perverts justice. Their relentless pursuit of wealth highlights Jonson’s critique of a society obsessed with inheritance and social climbing.
The play’s major themes include:
Greed and Deception – Volpone and Mosca’s elaborate ruse exposes the moral bankruptcy of those around them. Ironically, their downfall comes from overconfidence, as Mosca betrays Volpone to claim the wealth for himself.
Animal Imagery – The characters’ names (Volpone, Mosca, Corbaccio, Corvino) reflect animal traits (fox, fly, raven), symbolizing their predatory nature.
Justice and Punishment – In the end, the Venetian court delivers harsh penalties, reinforcing Jonson’s moralistic stance against vice.
Dramatic Techniques
Jonson employs:
Farce and Irony – The absurdity of the legacy hunters’ actions creates dark humor.
Morality Play Elements – Unlike Shakespearean comedies, Volpone lacks redemption; vice is punished severely.
Classical Influence – Jonson follows Roman comedy traditions (e.g., Plautus) with scheming servants and exaggerated fools.
Historical Context
Written during the Jacobean era, Volpone reflects anxieties about wealth and social mobility. Venice, a cosmopolitan trading hub, serves as a microcosm of London’s burgeoning capitalist economy, where inheritance and exploitation were rampant.
Conclusion
Volpone remains a timeless critique of human greed. Jonson’s sharp satire, intricate plotting, and moral rigor make it a cornerstone of Renaissance drama, influencing later playwrights like Molière and Oscar Wilde. The play’s enduring relevance lies in its unflinching portrayal of corruption—a mirror to any society driven by materialism.