Volpone : Characters
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.
Characters
Major Characters
Volpone: A rich old man from Venice. He pretends to be very sick to trick greedy men into giving him gifts. His name means “The Fox.” He loves money and pleasure.
Mosca: Volpone’s parasite and helper. He is clever and supports Volpone’s tricks. He grows confident and tries to get more power, but ends up in conflict with Volpone.
Celia: The good and religious wife of Corvino. She is beautiful and loyal to her husband. She shows self-control and honesty.
Voltore: A greedy lawyer who wants to inherit Volpone’s wealth. He is skilled in lying and uses words to trick others.
Corvino: Celia’s jealous and violent husband. He wants money more than love and mistreats Celia
Corbaccio: An old, sick man who hopes to inherit Volpone’s fortune. He disinherits his son to get Volpone’s favor.
Bonario: Corbaccio’s honest son. He is brave and loyal. He helps protect Celia from Volpone.
Sir Politic Would-be: An English knight living in Venice. He is naive and easily fooled.
Minor Characters
Lady Politic Would-be: Sir Politic’s talkative and vain wife. She tries to trick Volpone like the greedy others.
Peregrine: A young English traveler in Venice. He is clever and not easily fooled.
Nano: Volpone’s dwarf and fool. He entertains Volpone with songs and jokes.
Castrone: Volpone’s servant and eunuch. He does not speak in the play.
Androgyno: A hermaphrodite and a professional fool in Volpone’s house.
Four Avocatori, a Notario, Officers of the Court, and three Mercatori: These are court officers and merchants who help run the legal and business scenes in the play.