Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson and the Satirical Art of Comedy: A Study of Volpone

The Jacobean era witnessed the emergence of some of the most influential playwrights in English literature, and among them, Ben Jonson remains one of the most remarkable figures. His mastery of the comedy of humours and his incisive social commentary set him apart from his contemporaries. His celebrated play Volpone, a sharp critique of avarice, deception, and human folly, remains one of the greatest satirical comedies of all time. Through a study of Jonson’s life, literary contributions, and Volpone, we can understand how his work reflects the socio-political realities of seventeenth-century England.

Ben Jonson: Life and Literary Contributions

Born in 1572, Ben Jonson rose from humble beginnings to become one of the leading playwrights of his time. His early education at Westminster School, under the tutelage of William Camden, gave him a strong foundation in classical literature, which would later influence his writing style. Before establishing himself as a playwright, he briefly worked as a bricklayer and later joined the English armed forces. Upon his return to London, he became involved in the theatre, both as an actor and playwright.

His early career was marked by controversy. In 1597, he was imprisoned for co-authoring The Isle of Dogs, which was deemed seditious. The following year, he was involved in a duel that led to the death of actor Gabriel Spencer, resulting in his arrest. He narrowly escaped execution by pleading benefit of clergy. During this period, he converted to Roman Catholicism, though he later returned to the Anglican Church in 1610.

Jonson’s breakthrough came with Every Man in His Humour (1598), a play that introduced the comedy of humours. This theatrical genre, rooted in classical traditions, portrayed characters driven by dominant personality traits. Although his subsequent play, Every Man Out of His Humour (1599), failed to replicate the same success, Jonson continued to refine his satirical craft. His later works, such as Cynthia’s Revels (1600) and The Poetaster (1601), cemented his reputation as a sharp social critic.

With the accession of James I in 1603, Jonson gained favor at the royal court. He became renowned for his court masques, including The Masque of Blackness (1605). However, his greatest plays—Volpone (1606), The Alchemist (1610), and Bartholomew Fair (1614)—were written for the public stage and reflected the greed, hypocrisy, and moral corruption of contemporary society. In 1616, he received a royal pension, effectively making him England’s first Poet Laureate. Though his later career saw some commercial failures, his influence endured, inspiring a generation of poets who called themselves the “Sons of Ben.” He died in 1637 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Volpone: A Synopsis and Structural Analysis

Volpone is set in seventeenth-century Venice and follows a single day of elaborate deception and intrigue. The play’s protagonist, Volpone (which means fox in Italian), along with his cunning servant Mosca (the fly), deceives a group of greedy individuals who hope to inherit his fortune. These legacy hunters include Voltore (the vulture), Corbaccio (the raven), and Corvino (the crow), all of whom represent avarice and moral decay.

The play follows a series of plots and counterplots as Mosca manipulates the legacy hunters, convincing them to offer bribes and even sacrifice their own families for financial gain. The drama escalates when Volpone, disguised as a mountebank, becomes infatuated with Celia, Corvino’s wife. His attempted seduction leads to a courtroom trial, where Mosca fabricates false testimonies to frame Bonario (Corbaccio’s disinherited son) and Celia as adulterers. The final act sees Volpone staging his own death to test the loyalty of his associates, only for Mosca to betray him. The play ends with Volpone’s deception exposed, leading to punishment for all the guilty characters, while Celia and Bonario are restored to dignity.

Themes in Volpone: A Reflection on Society

Avarice and Moral Corruption

The play’s central theme is greed, which is portrayed as an all-consuming force that drives individuals to betray, manipulate, and exploit others. Volpone, despite already possessing great wealth, enjoys deceiving others simply for the pleasure of manipulating human weakness. The legacy hunters, in turn, display their own moral depravity by attempting to outwit each other to secure Volpone’s inheritance. Their blind pursuit of fortune ultimately leads to their downfall.

Deception and Disguise

Throughout the play, characters assume false identities and engage in elaborate lies to further their schemes. Volpone disguises himself as a dying man and later as a mountebank to seduce Celia. Meanwhile, Mosca plays the role of a loyal servant, only to betray his master at the climax. The theme of disguise serves as a critique of a society where individuals wear masks to fulfill their selfish desires.

Justice and Poetic Retribution

Unlike many Elizabethan comedies, Volpone does not end in marriages or reconciliations but in punishment. The court sentences Volpone to lifelong imprisonment, Mosca to execution, and the legacy hunters to public disgrace. Celia and Bonario, the only virtuous characters, are rewarded, reflecting Jonson’s moral vision where greed and deception are inevitably punished.

Social Commentary: Jonson’s Critique of Seventeenth-Century England

Although Volpone is set in Venice, its themes are a direct critique of Jacobean England. The rise of the mercantile class and the increasing emphasis on wealth accumulation led to widespread materialism and moral decay. Jonson exposes the corruption of the legal system, where justice is easily manipulated by money and deception. The play also critiques gender dynamics, particularly through Celia’s oppression and objectification, revealing the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society.

Critical Reception and Lasting Influence

Since its first performance in 1606, Volpone has remained one of Jonson’s most celebrated works. His comedy of humours greatly influenced the Restoration comedy of manners, particularly in the works of Congreve and Wycherley. However, eighteenth-century critics often compared Jonson unfavorably to Shakespeare, arguing that his plays lacked emotional depth. In contrast, modern scholars have recognized Volpone as a sophisticated satirical masterpiece that offers a compelling examination of human nature.

Conclusion

Ben Jonson’s Volpone is more than a comedy—it is a profound satirical commentary on human vice. Through his sharp wit and masterful use of dramatic irony, Jonson crafts a world where deception, greed, and moral corruption are ultimately exposed and punished. Even today, the play’s themes remain relevant, offering a timeless reflection on society’s obsession with wealth and power. Jonson’s literary genius ensures that Volpone continues to be studied and performed as a quintessential example of satirical drama.