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Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 15: Ben Jonson: Introduction of the Text

Unit 15: Ben Jonson: Introduction of the Text Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
15.1 Sources of the Text

15.2 Text as a Classical Fable

15.3 Text as a Classical Drama
15.4 Text as a Comedy Play

15.5 Summary

15.6 Keywords
15.7 Review Questions

15.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Illustrate the sources of the text of Volpone;
• Examine that Volpone is a comedy play;
• Describe that Volpone is a classical fable;

• Illustrate that the play was admired for its balance of scathing satire against human greed with
classical restraint and formalism.

Introduction

Volpone has long been a popular choice as a set text for students. Written by Ben Jonson, it was first
produced in 1606 and billed as a comedy, although it also includes elements of tragedy and even
animal fable (Volpone is Italian for ‘fox’). In essence, it’s a dark satire on greed and lust, and remains
Jonson’s most performed work.
The action takes place in seventeenth-century Venice, over the course of one day. The chief characters
are Volpone, a rich libertine and conman, and Mosca, his self-seeking servant. They cause chaos
with an audacious fraud designed to part the city’s wealthiest from their fortunes. The tale twists
and turns, as all the characters attempt to deceive each other, until the whole scheme finally collapses,
with disastrous consequences for Volpone.
This unit elaborates the text of Ben Jonson’s Volpone. It illustrates that Volpone is a classical drama. It
has been justified that Volpone is a classical comedy and examples have also been cited to prove it
a clasical fable in this unit.

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