Discuss the theme of avarice in ‘Volpone’.
Volpone is a notable literary work by Ben Jonson. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Volpone.
Answer
Discuss the theme of avarice in ‘Volpone’.
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. This play mercilessly satires avarice and lust. Avarice means extreme greed for wealth. Avarice is central to the story and to the characters’ 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. We will discuss the theme of avarice broadly below.
Volpone’s Greed: Volpone is an old and wealthy man. However, he lusts for more money and sex. He worships gold as a saint. He says:
Open the shrine, that I may see my Saint [Gold].”
Volpone sees his gold as a saint and worships it every morning. The three legacy-hunters: Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, want to become Volpone’s heir. They hope to inherit Volpone’s fortune. So, they want to satisfy Volpone by any means. On the other hand, 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.
Later in the play, Volpone is caught in a fox-trap because of his avarice. His servant Mosca tricks him and takes all his property. It shows that avarice leads to moral decay, deception, and ultimately, downfall.
Mosca’s Manipulation: Mosca, Volpone’s parasite servant, is another example of avarice. He is driven by excessive greed. At first, Mosca helps Volpone to deceive others. But Mosca’s own greed grows throughout the play. He eventually decides to betray his master in hopes of securing his fortune. Mosca says:
“I’ll bury him [Volpone], or gain by
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