Sketch the character of Mosca

Answer

Trace the development of the character of Mosca. 

Or. Sketch the character of Mosca in the play ‘Volpone’. 

Or. Sketch the character of Mosca as illustrated in the play ‘Volpone’. 

“Volpone” is a comedy play by Ben Jonson (1572-1637). First performed in 1606, it was a famous Jacobean era comedy. In this play, Jonson satirises excessive greed and lust. Mosca is a central character in this play. He is a parasite servant of his rich and old master, Volpone. Mosca is cunning, deceptive, and a master manipulator. He manipulates almost every major character in the play. Here, we sketch the character of Mosca below.

Parasite Servant: Mosca is a parasite servant of Volpone. He stays with his rich and old master. The plot of the play centres on Volpone’s scheme to deceive people, in which Mosca helps him. Mosca feeds on Volpone like a parasite. “Mosca” means fly/insect. Like a parasite, he clings to Volpone’s wealth and status. As the story unfolds, he tries to take over Volpone’s wealth. The audience sees that Mosca, not Volpone, is the true mastermind.

Cunning and Deceptive: Mosca is highly intelligent and a skilled manipulator. He helps Volpone to deceive the legacy-hunters: Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino. In the play, Volpone is an old and wealthy man. He has no heirs. So, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, each man tries to impress him with valuable gifts, so that he can inherit Volpone’s fortune. Mosca uses his cunning to loot the legacy-hunters. He promises all three that they will inherit Volpone’s property and take their valuable gifts. He takes an antique, precious plate from Voltore, a bag of gold coins from Corbaccio, and a pearl and diamond from Corvino.

Opportunistic: Throughout the play, Mosca shows an opportunistic nature. He is always looking for ways to benefit more. After taking a bag of gold coins from Corbaccio, Mosca further manipulates him. He convinces him to disinherit his own son, Bonario. He tells him to give his property to Volpone. Mosca also informs Volpone about Corvino’s beautiful wife, Celia. He describes