Discuss the theme of avarice in the play Volpone

Answer

Discuss the theme of avarice in the play “Volpone.”

Or, “The world of Volpone is crudely materialistic and gold-centred.” Elaborate with illustrations from the text.

Ben Jonson’s (1572-1637) “Volpone,” first performed in 1606, is the playwright’s most performed play. The play is a famous Jacobean-era comedy, which mercilessly satires avarice and lust. Avarice, extreme greed for wealth, is central to the narrative. Avarice is central to character motivations. The play exposes how avarice leads to moral decay, deception, and ultimately, downfall.

All the major characters in the play are motivated by excessive greed, including Volpone (sly fox), Mosca (fly), and the three legacy hunters: Voltore (vulture), Corbaccio (raven), and Corvino (crow). Characters lust for what they do not have—money, sex, or power.

According to Ben Jonson, desire itself is not inherently evil. Rather, it’s avarice—excessive desire—that becomes morally corrupting. This is best seen through the character of Volpone.

Volpone’s Greed: Volpone is an old and wealthy man. However, he lusts for more money and sex. He worships gold as a saint.

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

Open the shrine, that I may see my Saint.

The legacy hunters- Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino are obsessed with becoming Volpone’s heir because they hope to inherit his fortune. Their greed is so strong that they have no regard for Volpone’s life. Volpone plots to deceive the legacy hunters. He pretends to be on his deathbed after a long illness. Hence, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, motivated by avarice, come to see him with valuable gifts. Volpone scams them with the help of his parasite servant Mosca. As the play unfolds, Volpone attempts to rape Celia. It is avarice that morally corrupts him, turning him from a sly fox to a predator.

Later in the play, Volpone is caught in a fox trap because of his excessive greed. His servant Mosca tricks him and takes all his property, who is the example of another corrupted person because of avarice.

Mosca’s Manipulation: Mosca, Volpone’s servant, is driven by greed. He aids Volpone in his schemes. He manipulates the legacy-hunters to extract more wealth. Mosca’s own ambition and avarice grow throughout the play. He eventually decides to betray his master in hopes of securing his fortune.

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

In the end, Mosca is punished by the court. He is whipped and sent as a slave.

The Legacy Hunters: The characters of Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino represent different facets of greed. Each tries to secure Volpone’s favor. They offer bribes to be his heir. Their avarice blinds them to reason and morality, making them easy prey for Volpone and Mosca’s deceptions.

Voltore is a lawyer. He wants to be Volpone’s heir after his death. So, he brings an antique, precious plate. Thus, he is scammed by the sly fox.

Corbaccio is another evil character. Though he is old, he hopes to outlive Volpone and wants to get his hands on Volpone’s wealth. So, he brings a bag of gold coins to stay in Volpone’s favor.  Again, Mosca manipulates Corbaccio to disinherit his own son in favor of Volpone.

Corvino is another corrupted character, motivated by avarice. He brings a pearl and a diamond for Volpone as gifts. He even sends his wife to Volpone’s bed.

Moral Consequences: The play ultimately shows that avarice leads to self-destruction. Volpone’s and Mosca’s greed results in their downfall. All the greedy people are exposed and punished. The harsh punishments at the end of the play remind audiences of Volpone’s foreshadowing:

What a rare punishment is avarice to itself.

At the beginning of the play, Volpone mocks the greed of the legacy hunters with this line. He suggests they deserve their punishment and fate. This comment foreshadows his own punishment at the end of the novel.

Through the fates of the evil doers, Jonson underscores the moral that avarice is inherently destructive and leads to ruin.