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

For her part, Lady Politic outdoes herself by taking Peregrine to be the courtesan described to her Notes
by Mosca and then coming on to Peregrine as soon as Mosca informs her that he is a man. Again,
the tone of the play veers toward farce. Several plot considerations are satisfied in this part of the
play as well. Jonson needed to bring the subplot towards a resolution, which he does by giving
Peregrine a reason to be angry at Sir Politic: the lustful behavior of Sir Politic’s wife. It seems
something of a weak reason, especially by today’s standards. We also see, in this section of the play,
the increased importance of Mosca; Mosca is the one who sets-up Lady Politic Would-be to identify
Celia. In fact, Mosca will come to dominate the act, along with Voltore.

16.5.4 Scene IV

The scene is now set at the Scrutineo, the law courts of the Venetian state. Voltore, Corbaccio, Corvino,
and Mosca enter. They are about to appear before the Scrutineo to answer the accusations of Bonario
and Celia. Voltore is the one who will present the case, since he is a lawyer; Bonario expresses
concern to Mosca that Voltore will now become co-heir because of this service to Volpone, but
Mosca assures him there is nothing to worry about. He also worries that his reputation will be
ruined in front of the Scrutineo. Mosca assures him that he has given Voltore a story to tell about the
incident that will save Corvino’s reputation. Mosca also lets Voltore know that he has another witness
to appear if necessary, but he doesn’t say who it is.

16.5.5 Scene V

The four Avocatori (who serve as judges in the Venetian state) enter, along with Bonario, Celia, a
Notario (Notary) and some Commandadori (guards). The Avocatori discuss how they have never
heard anything as “monstrous” as the story Celia and Bonario have just told them: that Corvino
agreed to prostitute his wife to Volpone in the hopes that Volpone would make him heir, that
Volpone tried to rape Celia and that Corbaccio disinherited his son Bonario. They demand to know
where Volpone is: Mosca replies that he is too ill to come, but the Avocatori insist that he come
anyway and send some of the Commandadori to fetch him. Voltore then begins to speak to the
Scrutineo. He tells a very different story from that told by Celia and Bonario. He claims that Celia
and Bonario are lovers; that Bonario went to Volpone’s house with the intent to murder Corbaccio
for disinheriting him, but finding him absent, decided to attack Volpone instead; and that Celia’s
cries of rape were part of an attempt to frame Volpone devised by her and Bonario, in order to
prevent Volpone from collecting his inheritance. Voltore then produces the “proofs” of his story.
These consist in the testimony of Corbaccio and Corvino, who corroborate the story, with Corvino
adding that he has seen Bonario and Celia making love with his own eyes, and that he has their
love-letters in his possession (which in reality are forged). Mosca further adds that he was wounded
while defending his master. Celia faints; Corvino accuses her of acting. The Avocatori begin to
express doubts about Celia and Bonario’s story. Then Mosca informs the court of his “surprise
witness”; she is a “lady”, who saw Celia in a gondola with her “knight”. He leaves to fetch her, as
the Avocatori express their shock at the turn of events.

16.5.6 Scene VI

Mosca enters with his surprise witness, who is, of course, Lady Politic Would-be. She corroborates
Mosca’s claim, hurling abuse at Celia. She then apologizes profusely to the judges for disgracing
the court; the judges attempt to assure her she has not, but can’t get a word in edgewise. Voltore
then produces his final “proof”. Volpone enters, looking old and crippled; Voltore ironically
comments that they can now see Celia and Bonario’s rapist and criminal. Bonario suggests that
Volpone is faking (which he is), and should be “tested”, which Voltore takes to mean “tortured”;
Voltore ironically suggests that torture might cure Volpone’s illness. The Avocatori are convinced

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