Guide Note:
Ben Jonson's Volpone is a dark satirical comedy about a con artist, Volpone, who after having gained a fortune by dishonesty pretends to be on his deathbed to trick Corbaccio, Corvino, Voltore who all expect to benefit from his death. Volpone's assistant Mosca, who is as morally corrupt as Volpone, encourages the charade by making the guests feel that if they give Volpone extravagant gifts they will be named in his will.
After learning that Corvino has an attractive wife Celia, Volpone desires her. Mosca tells Corvino that having sex with a younger woman will help Volpone's health and he will be grateful to the man who provides him with a younger woman so Corvino agrees. However, Celia resists Volpone. He tries to rape her, but is interrupted by Corbaccio's son Bonario. Volpone tries one last time to continue his charade by making the others believe that he has died and left his fortune to Mosca. Mosca enjoys his new wealth too much and Volpone has to admit his trickery. Volpone, Corvino, Corbaccio, and Voltore are all punished.
Fast Facts:
- Written by Ben Jonson
- Also known as The Fox
- Premiered at the Globe Theatre in 1606
- First published in 1607
- Set in Venice, Italy
- Classified as comedy, satire, or tragic comedy
- Jonson's most frequently performed play
- Basis for 1964 Broadway musical Foxy
- Basis for Larry Gelbart's farce Fly Fox
- Adapted for the 1967 film The Honey Pot
Important Quotations:
- Which may not be revoked. Now you begin, When crimes are done and past, and to be punished, To think what your crimes are: away with them. Let all that see these vices thus rewarded Take heart, and love to study 'em. Mischiefs feed Like beasts. Till they be fat, and then they bleed.
- Hail to the world's soul, and mine. More glad than is The teeming earth to see the longed-for sun Peep through the horns of the celestial ram, Am I, to view they splendour, darkening his: That lying here, amongst my other hoards, Show'st like a flame by night; or like the day Struck out of chaos, when all darkness fled Unto the center. Oh, thou son of Sol (But brighter than thy father) let me kiss, With adoration, thee, and every relic Of sacred treasure in this blessed room.
