In his opening soliloquy, Volpone displays how utterly consumed by greed he is. The theme of greed pervades the entire play. While Jonson merges many sources and complicates the typical morality play, the plot of Volpone is essentially that of a simple animal fable in which the fox uses cunning to trick birds out of their meals. Beast imagery is used in Volpone to represent the deformity and degeneration of the characters and the moral abnormality of Venice supposed to be the hot bed of crime, knavery, lust and prostitution. He accentuates on people’s tendency to deceive others out of greed, vanity, sloth, lust and hedonism. 1275 words (5 pages) Essay in English Literature ... Human vices are the main reason for people’s moral degradation and the perversion of the Golden Age. Discuss the fdunction of the beast imagery and beast fable in Volpone. 'Mockery brings Wisdom'In the light of this view, discuss the ways in which writers make use of humour. While no play or literary work has only one theme, Volpone has two that are particularly central to the work: deception and greed. Get an answer for '"Ben Jonson's Volpone as a novel of avarise and greed"-Analyse this comment.' and find homework help for other Volpone questions at eNotes The play may by considered Volpone as a dark comedy because Jonson depicts the black side or negative side of human character in this play. We come across the strategy in which Volpone raises his wealth, and how proud he is of his cunning plan, ‘I glory more in the cunning purchase of my wealth, than in the glad possession’. Topics: Wealth ... in the moral universe of the play, a worthy target for satire, which is what he becomes in Act V, when because of his lack of restraint he ends up on his way to prison, the most unpleasurable situation imaginable. Discuss how at least one comic scene from the play … Avarice and stupidity rob men if their humanity. Volpone Questions and Answers - Discover the eNotes.com community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on Volpone For instance, compare the characters of Volpone and Henry IV or Lear, and try to argue for which is the more attractive title character.) Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus has always been known as and described as a tragedy and a morality play. Volpone's scam is born of his own greed and fed by the greed of his "clients." Appearance, then, can be indicative of reality. Driven by the hideous desire for fortune, the […] In a sense, greed defines the major conflict of Volpone. Q. The Italian men in the play are all corrupted by avarice, which means greed or excessive desire… (read full theme analysis) Every man in the play is either knave or fool, degenerate or deluded, sometimes both. What is a Morality Play? Volpone ’s subplot involves fear of spying, but the play’s primary interest in corruption is of a different kind; more than political corruption, Volpone explores the ways in which people can become morally corrupted. Volpone's name means "The Fox" in Italian. Ans. Venice was the place of degeneracy. These play's were popular in the 15th and early 16th centuries as the authors used them to comment on people's behavior in society and teach the audience a lesson. Satire is important in understanding humour and can be described as a genre in… This Italian metropolis was considered the root of greed ; Volpone inhabits this microcosm of Venetian society. At the same time, the trickery in the play suggests that appearance cannot always be trusted. There is no positive value to set against these negatives. Volpone is categorised as a satirical comedy which draws on an eclectic mix of elements from city comedy, black comedy and beast fable genres. In context. The play may by considered Volpone as a dark comedy because Jonson depicts the black side or negative side of human character in this play. Jonson has portrayed the theme of greed through a majority of the character in the play, not just Volpone himself. The play is quite spiritual in nature even though the material has its own role to play within the play … How would you discuss sub-plot and main plot in this play? Analysis. Volpone's scam is born of his own greed and fed by the greed of his "clients." theme of greed in Volpone . ... Jonson writes his morality play in the form of a ... "Ben Jonson's Volpone as a novel of avarise and greed"-Analyse this comment There is no positive value to set against these negatives. Volpone wants to gloat directly in the faces of the four dupes, so Mosca suggests that he disguise himself as a commandadore (a sergeant or guard), and approach them on the street. In his opening soliloquy, Volpone displays how utterly consumed by greed he is. Volpone ’s subplot involves fear of spying, but the play’s primary interest in corruption is of a different kind; more than political corruption, Volpone explores the ways in which people can become morally corrupted. Volpone is about learning a lesson, bringing the spiritual into what was initially thought to be a material play. Luxurious Laughter. It is embodies by Volpone, Mosca, and all the "clients." own attraction to greed. Social Criticism In Ben Jonsons Volpone English Literature Essay.