Volpone; Or, The Fox

"Volpone; Or, The Fox" by Ben Jonson is a play written during the early 17th century, renowned as a significant work of English drama. This comedic piece revolves around the cunning and avaricious nobleman Volpone, who feigns illness to manipulate those eager to inherit his wealth. The narrative unfolds in Venice, presenting a tapestry of characters driven by greed, deceit, and ambition. The opening of "Volpone" introduces us to the titular character and his crafty servant, Mosca. Volpone is depicted as a wealthy man who pretends to be on his deathbed, using this guise to lure various suitors, including corrupt lawyers and greedy merchants, who hope to gain his fortune through flattery and gifts. As each character arrives, zealous for a piece of Volpone’s wealth, Mosca cleverly manipulates the situation, setting the stage for schemes of love, betrayal, and humor. Jonson’s sharp wit and keen observations of human folly are evident, laying the groundwork for a satirical exploration of greed and societal morality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Benjamin Jonson was an English playwright and poet. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours; he is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour (1598), Volpone, or The Fox, The Alchemist (1610) and Bartholomew Fair (1614) and for his lyric and epigrammatic poetry. He is regarded as "the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I."