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Unit 17: Volpone: Characterization and Plot Construction and Sub-plots

fails, as Volpone exposes them both. Though initially (and for most of the play) he behaves in a Notes
servile manner towards Volpone, Mosca conceals a growing independence he gains as a result of
the incredible resourcefulness he shows in aiding and abetting Volpone’s confidence game. Mosca’s
growing confidence, and awareness that the others in the play are just as much “parasites” as he—
in that they too would rather live off the wealth of others than do honest work—eventually bring
him into conflict with Volpone, a conflict that destroys them both.

17.1.3 Voltore

One of the three legacy hunters or carrion-birds—the legacy hunters continually circle around
Volpone, giving him gifts in the hope that he will choose them as his heir. Voltore is a lawyer by
profession, and, as a result, he is adept in the use of words. Voltore is, like all the legacy hunters,
named after a carrion-bird. In the case of Voltore, that bird is the vulture; for Corvino, it is the crow,
and for Corbaccio, the raven. Voltore is the most pleasant of all the legacy hunters, for he is the least
crass and the least obsessed with seeing Volpone die. His preferential status shows in Mosca’s
special regard for him: Mosca tries to make sure that Voltore gets enough payment for his services
at the Scrutineo in Act IV. But Voltore comes to regret his actions at the Scrutineo. Of course, this
regret only comes after he has been denied his inheritance, and it seems to stem directly from his
bitterness at Mosca’s leapfrogging over him on the social ladder. And when Volpone whispers to
him that he might still get his inheritance, he stops confessing his lies to the Scrutineo and pretends
that he was “possessed” by an evil demon. The verbal irony is that Voltore, in that statement and
action, reveals his greed.

17.1.4 Corbaccio

Another “carrion-bird” circling Volpone, Corbaccio is actually extremely old and ill himself and is
much more likely to die before Volpone even has a chance to bequeath him his wealth. He has a
hearing problem and betrays no sign of concern for Volpone, delighting openly in (fake) reports of
Volpone’s worsening symptoms. He goes as far as to testify against his own son. He is finally
punished, sent to a monastery, and forced to turn his estate over to his son, Bonario.

17.1.5 Corvino

A greedy, rich merchant and an extremely cruel and dishonorable character, Corvino is Celia’s jealous
husband. He frequently threatens to do disgusting acts of physical violence to her and her family in
order to gain control over her. Yet he is more concerned with financial gain than with her faithfulness,
seeing her, in essence, as a piece of property. Corvino is another one of the “carrion-birds” circling
Volpone. Corvino is punished in the end for offering up his wife, which results in her returning to her
father, with her dowry tripled. Corvino is the third of the “carrion-birds” circling Volpone.

17.1.6 Bonario

The son of Corbaccio. Bonario is an upright youth who remains loyal to his father even when his
father perjures against him in court. His honesty and his desire to do right make him one of the
more righteous characters in the play. He heroically rescues Celia from Volpone and represents
bravery and honor, qualities which the other characters seem to lack. However, perhaps because he
believes so strongly in good, he is too trusting of others and is exploited as a result.
17.1.7 Celia

Celia is the wife of Corvino, who is extremely beautiful, enough to drive both Volpone and Corvino
to distraction. She is absolutely committed to her husband, even though he treats her horribly, and

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