Volpone

Compare Volpone’s three main disguises—the invalid, the mountebank, and the commendatore. What do these disguises reveal about his true character?

Mosca proclaims that “All the wise world is little else in nature / But parasites or sub-parasites” (3.1.12-13). How does the play confirm this observation?

The play’s subplot between Peregrine and Sir Politic occurs outside the main conflict with Volpone and his suitors. How does the subplot expand on the themes Jonson explores in the main plot? Choose one of the three main themes to construct your answer.

Explore the play’s connection to the literary tradition of animal fables. How do allusions to animal archetypes from these fables help to clarify the characters’ motivations?

How does Jonson comment on the supposedly dire state of drama in the Early Modern period throughout the play? What values does he use to judge the success or worthiness of drama, and how does Volpone exemplify these values?

Compare the private and public justice delivered in the play. Is one form more successful than the other at exposing guilt? Do they constitute separate spheres of guilt and punishment? Why or why not?

Choose two characters in the play and compare their concerns about how others perceive them. How does this concern for reputation motivate their actions? Is this concern greater than their greed for money?

What is the role of Volpone’s fools in the narrative? How do their appearances reflect the theme of The Moral Impact of Performance?