Q: Historically Discuss Jonson’s play, “Volpone”.
Ben Jonson's most
performed play, "Volpone"
was first produced in 1605–1606, as well as it is a city comedy and beast fable. The
play is ranked among the finest Jacobean-era
comedies. It is appeared in a quarto in early 1607, and printed by George
Eld for publisher, Thomas
Thorpe. In the course of the play, Volpone, a
wealthy Venetian, and his servant Mosca manipulate
ones in their plan to get ones' property through his fatal. Here, Jonson's
dedication to Oxford and Cambridge, as well
as a great number of commendatory verses are aroused in English
and Latin by fellow poets such as Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.
However, at the beginning of the
story, Volpone (The Fox) is a Venetian gentleman, who pretends to be on
his deathbed, and Voltore (The
Vulture), Corbaccio (The
Raven) and Corvino (The Crow) aspire to inherit Volpone’s
fortune. On the other hand, Mosca (The Fly), Volpone's
parasite servant, who persuades Corbaccio to disinherit his own son in
favor of Volpone. Cautiously, Volpone wants to
Celia, and Mosca
expresses, "I doubt not--/To bring success to your desires."
When Celia arrives to Volpone, then he
attempts to rape her. Just before Corvino and Celia's going,
Bonario arrived there.
Additionally, when Volpone is
entangled, Mosca makes a large plan, and entraps to Celia and Bonario. Volpone insists
on disguising himself and having it announced that he has died, and willed his
wealth to Mosca. Despite
Volpone's pleas, Mosca refuses
to relinquish his new role as a rich man. In this regard, Volpone reveals himself and his deceits
in order to topple the rich Mosca. In the last segment, it
is showed, "Which may not be revoked. Now you begin,--/When crimes are done,
and past, and to be punish'd,--/To think what your crimes are: away with them."
In conclusion, Jonson's comedy,
"Volpone" explores, "greed,
deception, and the corrupting influence of wealth."
Although “Justice” is
restored as the deceitful schemes unravel, and the play ultimately underscores
the dangers of unchecked avarice. Jonson's social commentary in "Volpone"
reflects on the timeless theme of the corrupting nature of greed and the
importance of moral integrity in society. However, the play also suggests that
the desire for wealth and power remains a constant force, and it is emphasizing
the timeless nature. It is a dark comedy, comical satire on
human greed, Old Comedy, beast fable, morality play or anti-Catholic discourse.
Furthermore, Steve Baker
pictures, “The Beast: Identity and representation, analyses every
character of Volpone from the perspective of animal behavior of human beings.”
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