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Unit 16: Volpone: Satire and all its Detailed Analysis and Comedy

This line later developments in Act V, where there is a reversal of fortune between Mosca and Notes
Volpone, and Mosca “slips out of his skin” to become a nobleman. Mosca only refers to himself
indirectly, through an abstract discussion of parasitism. The word “parasite” had a slightly different
meaning for Jonson than it does today; the “parasite” was a stock character of Greek and Roman
comedies, similar to the “Fool” character, except that they were buffoons instead of witty. These
characters were usually pathetic, and poor: they performed tricks, told stories, and generally debased
themselves in order to feed at the table of the rich. Parasitism, in this sense, seems to be a trait that
defines Mosca completely; he is dependent on Volpone for his life and for his food (a true parasite),
and he expresses this dependence, at least in public, with displays of servility and pathos. In Act I,
scene ii, he is so gushing toward Volpone that the Fox, embarrassed, asks him to stop, and his
pathetic display in front of Bonario again reinforce this impression. But when Mosca talks about
how “all the wise world is little else, in nature, but parasite or sub-parasites,” he begins to overturn
this image. He identifies the true parasite as being strong, quick, agile, inventive and able to fake
any emotion in a second if necessary; being a parasite is a mark of being wise, and not being a “clot-
pole,” forced to work the earth to make one’s living. He is superior to those he feeds on, not inferior.
People that are called “parasites,” like Mosca, play the same game as everyone else, but just play it
better, with more cunning, which demonstrated in his dealings with Bonario. They show weakness
in order to hide their true strength; the goal of the game is to feed off the wealth and livelihood of
others without doing any real work yourself, except the work involved in keeping them credulous.
This statement of moral equality—”we are all parasites”—clearly refers not only to the legacy hunters,
but to Volpone as well; it is indicative that Mosca considers himself less and less a subordinate to
Volpone and more of an equal. Mosca gradually develops into an antagonist for Volpone. But his
honesty, his resourcefulness, and the correctness of his appraisal of the situation—everyone in the
play does in fact attempt to live off of the work of others—make him a sympathetic character. This
creates a tension in the play, as to who we are to side for in the battle, who is the protagonist and
who is the antagonist. In the end, the answer will seem to be neither, as both characters are punished
for their actions. But as we will see, there are problems in the way Jonson brings this result about.

Mosca gradually develops into an antagonist for Volpone. But his honesty make him
a sympathetic character, illucidate this antagonism.

16.4.3 Scene III

Volpone, his dwarf, his eunuch, and his hermaphrodite enter. Volpone notes that Mosca is late in
returning home. To quell his boredom, he asks Nano to entertain him, which he does by discoursing
on how fools create more laughter with their faces than with their brains. A knock is heard at the
door; Volpone assumes it must be Mosca. Nano goes out to see who it is, and returns to announce
that it is a “beauteous madam.” Volpone realizes that it is Lady Politic Would-be. He reluctantly
tells Nano to let her in.

16.4.4 Scene IV

Lady Politic Would-be enters into an anteroom with Nano and asks him to tell Volpone she has
arrived. She fusses over her own appearance, noting her dress does not show her neck enough but
that she is still dressed well. She berates Volpone’s servant women for not dressing appropriately
and not making themselves up in an appropriate way. Finally, she begins to speak to Volpone.
Volpone informs her that he had a strange dream the previous night, that a “strange fury” entered
his house and tore his roof off with her voice. She ignores the obvious reference to herself and
begins a (very one-sided) conversation, advising Volpone on what medicines he should take to cure

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