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{ i sp thei Characters in "Voipone (07 Ano. ¢ Volpone: The titular character, Volpone, is a cunning and wealthy man who pretends to be gravely ! —— ill to manipulate others into offering him gifts. Volpone'’s character embodies the darker aspects of | knew | Ag U% Jqney an Deck 9 vengegnee _— Tomep Gated batfAar Government Ans snd Science College. Wappadi Ben Jonson's "Volpone" (thOb)* Peart fate Ben Jonson: Background and Context Set de Varney, ly | ce cra. AS conicimporg ot Wii ae was an English playwright, poet, and literary ctftic of the Renaissaj works. Jonson's liter: m Shakespeare, Jonson is renowned for his satirical plays. masques, and poetic contributions to F rary career spanned the late Elizabethan and carly Jacobean periods, and his: ns to English drama have left an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape. | "Volpone" Introduction and Themes Vol Ri iol first performed in 1606, is one of Jonson's most celebrated plays. The title character, | the i he wealthy Venetian who feigns a severe illness to trick several greedy characters into thinking | a’ or ' Se ent his fortune. The play explores themes of greed, deception, and the moral consequences of | varice. Set against the backdrop of Venice, "Volpone’provides a biting satire of human vice and the | corrupting hee of wealth. —_— opmy 24 . | recht "Vol one; i © Greed and Deception: The play centers around the characters’ insatiable greed and Volpone's | elaborate deception. The characters’ pursuit of wealth drives the plot, leading to intricate schemes and | moral compromises. I © Social Critique: Jonson offers a satirical commentary on the social and moral fabric of Venice. The | play exposes the flaws and vices inherent in a society driven by materialism and ambition | © Justice and Punishment: As the plot unfolds, justice and punishment become significant themes. The | characters face consequences for their actions, reflecting Jonson's exploration of moral _ accountability. ° oul Sicfr by Workess = SOUL 6f Pyttagenas and Ancient Goeek $¢ Dnilo an MathematfcPan ls 6 \6 human nature, particularly greed and deceit. Yéservant ° Dy) ——_ b / elderly man willing to disinherit his own son, ind Noto is a corrupt lawyer who secks to benefit i from Volpone's alleged gencrosii eit a poron : voll e, yea 7 Jonson's Satirical Style Sous : Pood e Language and Wit: ' Jonson's plays, including "Volpone,” are characterized by their linguistic brilliance and wit. The | ona i - dialogue is sharp, filled with puns, wordplay, and satirical humor. The characters’ verbal sparring j H — i h, Volpone's a oO Gold plerte Dant i Mybatcie Orvino rbaccio, and Voltore: These characters represent various aspects of avarice and moral | Mosca: Volpone's cunning servant, Mosca, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the deception. Mosca } is a master manipulator, adept at exploiting the weaknesses of the other characters for his and | i sepinion Corvino is a jealous husband willing to prostitute his wife for wealth, Corbaccio is an | contributes to the overall comedic and satirical tone of the play. @ Moral Purpose: Unlike some of his contemporaries, Jonson believed in the moral purpose of comedy "Volpone" | serves a moral satire, exposing the vices of the characters and society while providing moral | lessons through their eventual comeuppance. Critical Perspectives e TS. Eliot: TS. Eliot, a prominent literary critic, praised Jonson's clarity of expression and moral purpose. Eliot noted, "Jonson has been praised for his ‘clear, sensuous apprehension of the material world." but he was engaged in representing not the sensuous but the moral world." Eliot's perspective highlights IMA Foe English Drama megoattorr. 
