What is Comedy of Humours? Examine Volpone as a comedy of humours.

Answer

What is Comedy of Humours? Examine “Volpone” as a comedy of humours.

The “Comedy of Humours” is a genre of comedy developed during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was popularized by English playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637). In a comedy of humours, The characters exhibit exaggerated traits driven by their dominant humours. Their actions and decisions are driven by their dominant humours, making them comically predictable and ridiculous. This style of comedy is characterized by satirical portrayals of human behavior, moral lessons, and witty dialogue.

“Volpone” as a Comedy of Humours

Ben Jonson’s play “Volpone,” published in 1606, is a classic example of a comedy of humours. The characters in the play exhibit exaggerated traits driven by their dominant humours, leading to both comedic and satirical outcomes. Let us examine how “Volpone” aligns with the conventions of this genre.

Exaggerated Characters

Each character in this play represents an extreme trait, making them humorous and absurd. For example:

Volpone (The Fox): He is driven by greed and deceit. His entire life revolves around accumulating wealth, often through elaborate scams. Volpone worships gold as a saint. He says:

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

Open the shrine, that I may see my Saint.

Volpone’s excessive cunning and love for trickery dominate his personality.

Mosca (The Parasite): Mosca is opportunistic and manipulative. He thrives on lies and schemes. He embodies the traits of a flatterer and enabler. 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.

Voltore (The Vulture), Corbaccio (The Raven), and Corvino (The Crow): These legacy hunters represent unchecked greed and moral corruption. Their animalistic names highlight their predatory natures.

Satirical Humour

The play uses humour to criticize human vices like greed, hypocrisy, and vanity. The characters’ foolish behavior, driven by their dominant humours, serves as a mirror for society. For instance, Corbaccio’s willingness to disinherit his son and Corvino’s decision to offer his wife to Volpone showcase the extent of their greed. Lady Politic Would-Be’s endless chatter reflects vanity and self-importance. Through such characters, Jonson ridicules the moral flaws of his time. The playwright turns their humours into tools for satire.

Moral Lessons

Like most comedies of humours, “Volpone” aims to entertain while delivering a moral lesson. The play ultimately shows that avarice leads to self-destruction. Volpone 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. The play’s end reinforces the importance of virtue over vice, making it a successful comedy of humours.

Witty Dialogue and Wordplay

The characters’ interactions are filled with clever dialogue and wordplay, typical of a comedy of humours. Mosca’s quick wit and manipulation, Volpone’s dramatic soliloquies, and the humorous banter between Sir Politic Would-Be and Peregrine add layers of comedic brilliance to the play.

To wrap up, “Volpone” is a masterful comedy of humours. The play blends exaggerated character traits, satirical humor, and moral lessons. Each character’s dominant humour drives the plot. Through this play, Ben Jonson not only entertains but also critiques the vices of his society.