Ben Jonson's "Volpone"

Analytical Essay # 26328

Drama and Theater > English
English > Analysis
Literature > English

The paper comments on the developments of the betrayal of hypocrisy, corruption and the use of disguise in Act 4.

1,109 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2002 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

The paper focuses entirely on Act four of Ben Jonson's play "Volpone". It analyzes each character within the scene and how they fit in accordance. It also discusses developments and reoccurring themes from the previous scenes.

From the Paper:

"Within the Forth Act, beginning with the sub-plot for two scenes, the audience have a coming together of all the plays? characters and additional characters in the courtroom scene. The developments of hypocrisy are quite prominent but it is the development of Mosca's corruption, which appears to be the main feature within this Act. His constant corruption of the three gulls and indeed his corruption of the courtroom, and the advocates. The Act begins with Sir Politic Would-Be and Peregrine within the sub-plot. Although the scene is quite humorous with the "imaginary" conspiracies that Peregrine is easily making Sir Politic believe, there is a strong sense of hypocrisy with the character of Lady Would-Be at he point in the play. She enters in Act IV Scene II, where she believes she sees her husband Sir Politic with a courtesan, i.e. Peregrine (prostitutes regularly dressed as men) "In man's apparel"? Lady Would-Be begins calmly but continues to fly into a somewhat rage, "Ay you White friars nation" lewd harlot, a base fricatrice, a female devil, in a male outside.? However the element of hypocrisy is that she has no right to comment, even if it was true as it was only in Act III Scene IV where she was basically offering herself to Volpone, "And as we find our passions do rebel?" Jonson's point in beginning with this scene is to slow the pace of the play by adding humour and by manipulating the audience. He leaves the last act with the idea that everything is about to fall apart for the Volpone, and in effect is playing with the element of suspense. "