What is Dramatic Irony? Comment on the use of dramatic irony in the play Volpone.

Answer

What is Dramatic Irony? Comment on the use of dramatic irony in the play “Volpone.”

Dramatic irony is a literary device where the audience or readers know more about a situation than the characters in the story. In a dramatic irony, The characters’ actions or statements have different meanings for the audience. The most famous dramatic ironies in English literature are “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles, and “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare.

“Volpone” (1606) by Ben Jonson (1572-1637) is a comedy that makes excellent use of dramatic irony. In “Volpone”, the audience knows more than the characters. It creates humour and highlights the themes of greed and deception in the play. Here are key points depicting the use of dramatic irony in “Volpone”.

Volpone’s Fake Illness: Volpone (The Sly Fox) is the main character of the play Volpone. He pretends to be gravely ill (খুবই অসুস্থ). He deceives the greedy legacy hunters. The audience is aware of his deceit from the beginning. It creates a layer of irony. Characters like Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino visit him with expensive gifts. They hope to be his heir. They believe Volpone is at death’s door, but the audience knows he is in perfect health. Volpone himself revels in this deception, saying, 

Good morning to the day; and next, my gold!

 Open the shrine, that I may see my saint.

This quote shows his cunning nature, as he deceives others to gather wealth. 

Mosca’s Manipulation: Mosca (parasite) is Volpone’s servant. He plays a key role in the deception. He tells each of the potential heirs that they are Volpone’s chosen successor. The audience is aware of Mosca’s lies, but the characters of the play believe him. This creates a layer of dramatic irony. For example, at the end of the play, Mosca realizes Volpone will never financially reward him. So, he tries to deceive his own master. He plans to take over Volpone’s gold and assets. He says,

I’ll bury him [Volpone], or gain by him: I am his heir.

Here, Mosca decides to use his manipulative skills. He is ready to take what he believes he deserves from his master.

The Legacy Hunters: The legacy hunters—Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino—are all trying to beat each other to be Volpone’s heir. They bring lavish gifts to Volpone. They hope to be included in his will. The audience knows that Volpone has no intention of leaving his wealth to any of them. This is ironic. Corbaccio, an old man, is convinced by Mosca to disinherit his own son in favour of Volpone. He shows his greed for Volpone’s wealth.

Corvino’s Jealousy: Corvino is portrayed as a jealous husband. He is easily deceived into offering his wife, Celia, to Volpone. He thinks it will secure his inheritance. The audience knows that Volpone becomes interested in Celia for his lustful gratification. This promotes dramatic irony.  The audience sees the irony in Corvino’s belief that he controls the situation. Here, in fact, he is being manipulated.

Volpone’s Disguises: Volpone enjoys disguising himself. He moves among the characters to observe their behaviour. In one instance, he wishes to have Celia. He says,

How might I see her?

In reply, Mosca says it is impossible to see her. Then Volpone says,

I must see her.

Then Mosca tells him that he can see her by disguising himself. Mosca says,

In some disguise, then.

He disguises himself as a mountebank (a kind of charlatan doctor) to woo Celia. The audience knows it is Volpone in disguise, while Celia and the other characters do not. This creates a rich comedic irony. 

The Final Twist: At the play’s end, Volpone’s plans are revealed to the public. He faces punishment. Throughout the play, the audience is aware of Volpone’s true nature. The characters have been blind to it. At last, in the courtroom, Volpone reveals his and Mosca’s true identity. He says,

I am Volpone, and this is my knave;

It provides a satisfying conclusion to the audience.

In “Volpone,” Jonson’s use of dramatic irony not only enhances the humour but also criticizes the greed of the characters. The audience’s awareness of the true situation adds deepness to the comedic elements. It makes the play a timeless satire on human folly.