17th Century English

Literature
Dr. Ulaş Özgün
Volpone (1606)
• Dark satire on human greed.

• Jonson was deeply troubled by the rise of the proto-capitalist

economic order yet at the same time fascinated by the
entrepreneurial potential liberated by the new economic order.

• His antagonists Volpone and Mosca may be morally bankrupt but they
are also the most intelligent, adaptable characters in the play
 Sources for Volpone
Classical Literature:
• The classical satirist Lucian provided the theme of the
rich old man playing with money-grubbing scoundrels
who hope to inherit his wealth.

• Jonson was influenced by the works of ancient Roman

playwrights, such as Plautus and Terence, known for
their comedic plays.
• The two adopted their plays from Greek playwrights like
Menander
• wordplay, farcical situations, fast-paced action, mistaken
identities, and physical humour.
• Stock characters; the wily parasite, the unscrupulous lawyer,
the avaricious dotard, the valuable woman.
• Plots are driven by misunderstandings and deceptions.
• Explored themes related to love, relationships, deception, and
social class.
 Jonson’s Sources for Comedy in Volpone

• Italian Commedia dell'arte:

• He drew inspiration from the Italian
Commedia dell'arte tradition, which
featured stock characters and
improvisation. They are troupes often
travelling from place to place, and
performing in various locations, including
marketplaces, streets, and theaters.
 Commedia dell'arte
• Masks and Costumes and Stock Characters:
Commedia dell'arte features a stock of recurring
characters, each represented by a specific mask.
These masks, such as Arlecchino (Harlequin),
Pantalone, and the Doctor, the zanni (servants), the
vecchi (old men), and the inamorati (young lovers);
they have distinct physical and personality traits that
actors would embody in their performances.

• Improvisation: The core of commedia dell'arte is

improvisation. While there was a basic plot or
scenario, much of the dialogue and action were
improvised by the actors. This required them to have
a quick wit and a thorough understanding of their
characters.
 Commedia dell'arte
• Lively and Energetic Performances: Performances
were characterized by a high degree of energy,
with actors engaging in quick, dynamic
interactions. The physicality and vitality of the
performances were key to engaging the audience.

• Music and Song: Commedia dell'arte incorporated

music and song into its performances, adding to
the entertainment value. Musicians would
accompany the actors, and characters might break
into song or engage in musical interludes.

• Physical Comedy: Commedia dell'arte is known for

its physical humor,
 Jonson’s Sources for Comedy in Volpone

Fable and Beast-Epic Tradition

• Jonson draws from ancient and medieval

fable tradition and beast epics.
• The comic trickster Reynard the Fox
• The Fable about a fox that plays dead in order
to catch the greedy birds.

Birds on a Dead Fox (detail) in a bestiary,

1278–1300, unknown illuminator, Franco-
Flemish
Volpone
• It was first performed by the King’s Men (Shakespeare’s company) in
the spring of 1606, at the Globe Theatre.

• First published in quarto form in 1607, republished with a few

changes in 1616, Works.

• The play is set in Venice but its true target is the city of London.
 Jonson’s Devices of Comedy

Misunderstandings and Deceptions: Jons’ comedy involves characters who

misunderstand each other or are deceived in some way. This leads to
confusion and often comical situations.

Cross-Dressing and Disguise: Cross-dressing and disguise are recurring

elements in Jonson’s comedies. Characters often pretend to be someone they
are not, leading to humorous situations and adding to the complexity of the
plot.
Jonson’s Devices of Comedy
Physical Comedy and Farce: Physical humour, including slapstick,
pratfalls, and comical fights, exaggerated situations.

Irony and Satire: Jonson used irony and satire to mock and criticize
social norms and human foibles. He often poked fun at various aspects
of society, including love, class distinctions, and human nature.

Fool or Clown Characters: Jonson often included a fool or clown

character in his comedies. These characters were known for their witty
remarks, wordplay, and humorous observations.
Brief synopsis of the Play
• The plot revolves around a wealthy Venetian named Volpone, who
pretends to be deathly ill to trick several greedy characters into
offering him extravagant gifts in the hope of inheriting his fortune.
Volpone's clever servant, Mosca, orchestrates the deception. The play
explores themes of greed, deception, and the moral consequences of
avarice. As the plot unfolds, the characters' schemes become
increasingly complex, leading to a series of comedic and morally
instructive outcomes. "Volpone" is celebrated for its sharp satire and
the depiction of human folly and moral corruption.
 Plot
Main Plot: The main plot of "Volpone" revolves around a wealthy Venetian named Volpone, who feigns a severe
illness to deceive three opportunistic characters—Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino. This is orchestrated by Mosca

Sub-plots:
• Corbaccio's Inheritance Attempt:
• Corbaccio is an elderly man who wishes to inherit Volpone's wealth. To achieve this, he disinherits his own son, Bonario, in
favor of Volpone. However, Corbaccio is unaware of the larger plot and the deception orchestrated by Mosca.
• Corvino's Attempt to Secure Volpone's Wealth:
• Corvino is a merchant who is willing to sacrifice his wife, Celia, to secure Volpone's fortune. He arranges for Celia to become
Volpone's mistress, believing this will lead to his inheritance. The subplot involves Corvino's attempts to exploit his wife for
personal gain.
• Bonario's Intervention:
• Bonario, the disinherited son of Corbaccio, becomes aware of the deceit and attempts to expose the fraudulent plot. He stands against the moral
corruption surrounding Volpone's pretended illness and the greed of the other characters.
• Voltore's Role as a Lawyer:
• Voltore is a lawyer who becomes entangled in the scheme, representing the legal interests of the characters seeking
Volpone's inheritance. His role adds a legalistic and manipulative dimension to the play's exploration of greed and deception.
• Sir Politic-Would-Be-Lady Politic-Would-Be and Peregrine
• His subplot revolves around his misguided attempts to gather information about the political landscape of Venice, often
leading to comical misunderstandings.
Themes
• Greed

• Corruption

• Appearance vs. Reality

• The Role of Women

 Characters
• Volpone:
• The wealthy Venetian who feigns a severe illness to trick others into offering him valuable gifts, hoping to inherit his wealth.
• Mosca (Scaliger):
• Volpone's clever and cunning servant, who plays a central role in orchestrating and manipulating the schemes to deceive the
potential heirs.
• Voltore:
• A lawyer who seeks to inherit Volpone's wealth by presenting himself as a loyal friend and advocate. He represents the legal
profession in the play.
• Corbaccio:
• An elderly man who wishes to inherit Volpone's fortune by disinheriting his own son. He is manipulated by Mosca.
• Corvino:
• A Venetian merchant who is willing to sacrifice his wife, Celia, to secure Volpone's wealth. He becomes entangled in the deceitful
plots.
• Celia:
• Corvino's wife, who becomes a pawn in the schemes of Corvino and Volpone. Her character reflects the exploitation of women for
personal gain.
• Bonario:
• The disinherited son of Corbaccio. He becomes aware of the deceitful plots and stands against the moral corruption surrounding
Volpone's pretended illness.
• Peregrine:
• A witty and observant English traveler who arrives in Venice. He becomes a friend to Bonario and plays a crucial role in exposing
the fraud.
• Sir Politic Would-Be:
• An English knight who is obsessed with political intelligence. He becomes unwittingly entangled in the schemes of other
characters, adding comic relief to the play.