Page 207 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

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

careful reader would note, however, that in feeling angry at Volpone and Mosca, we are being Notes
drawn into a certain reality in much the same way that the four judges are—through images and
words, arranged in a dramatic manner, good characters vying against evil ones, drawing our
sympathy, making us involved in their struggle. It could make us very suspicious of the exercise of
drama as a whole. Drama seems based on the very same methods of deceit used by Voltore and
Mosca. But to say that Voltore and Mosca are dramatists is not to say that all dramatists are like
Voltore and Mosca. Jonson, after all, acknowledges in his dedication that many dramatic poets rely
on sensationalism to sell their plays, plays that harm the moral good of society. This scene can be
viewed as an exercise in how to spot this sensationalism, how to differentiate between the good
play and the bad play; plays that deceive and confuse; and plays, like Jonson’s, that aim to tell the
truth.

16.6 Act V

16.6.1 Scene I

Volpone returns home after the drama at the Scrutineo, tired. He declares that he has grown tired of
his con and wishes it were over. Pretending to be sick in public has made some of the symptoms he
has been falsely presenting, such as cramps and palsy (tremors), feel all too real. The thought that
he might actually be getting sick depressed and frightens him; to banish it he takes two strong
drinks and calls Mosca.

16.6.2 Scene II

Volpone calls Mosca and informs him that he wants to be over with the con. They discuss how well
the entire con went off and congratulate themselves on being so erudite, so brave, and so clever.
Mosca advises that Volpone should stop his life of trickery here, for he will never outdo himself.
Volpone seems to agree, and then begin discussing the matter of payment to Voltore for his services,
something that Mosca insists on. But Volpone suddenly decides to carry out one final joke on the
legacy hunters. He calls in Castrone and Nano, and tells them to run through the streets, informing
everyone that Volpone is dead. He then tells Mosca to wear his clothes and to pretend that Volpone
has named him the heir to the estate when the legacy hunters arrive, using an authentic will naming
Mosca as heir. Mosca remarks on how distraught all four of the people involved in the deceit at the
Scrutineo—Voltore, Corbaccio, Corvino, and Lady Politic—will be when they come to believe that
Mosca has been chosen over them. Soon, Voltore arrives, and Volpone hides behind a curtain.

16.6.3 Scene III

Voltore enters to find Mosca making an inventory. Thinking that the property is now his, he praises
Mosca’s hard work. He takes the will in order to read it. Corbaccio, clearly near death, is carried in
by his servants. Corvino soon after enters, and soon Lady Politic Would-be enters too. All the while,
Mosca continues to take an inventory of Volpone’s property. All four characters then read the will;
they understandably react with shock, and demand an explanation. Mosca replies to each of them
in turn, reminding them in a short speech of the lies and other immoral acts each of them committed.
Lady Politic apparently offered to provide Mosca with sexual favours in return for Volpone’s estate.
Corvino, of course, unjustly declared his wife an adulterer and himself a cuckold; Corbaccio
disinherited his son. For Voltore, Mosca is somewhat sympathetic; he expresses sincere regret that
Voltore will not be made heir. After Mosca is finished to talking to a character, that character leaves.
After Voltore leaves, Mosca and Volpone are again alone, and Volpone congratulates Mosca on a
job well done. Volpone wants to gloat directly in the faces of the four dupes, so Mosca suggests that
he disguise himself as a commandadore (a sergeant or guard), and approach them on the street.
Volpone congratulates Mosca on his excellent idea.

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