Ben Jonson and Comedy of Humours in Volpone

Ben Jonson and Comedy of Humours inVolpone (Satire & Greed)

This article explores Ben Jonson and Comedy of Humours. The details are as follows.

Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was one of the most influential playwrights of the English Renaissance. He developed the Comedy of Humours, a dramatic style based on the belief that human behaviour is dictated by the four bodily humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. According to this theory, an imbalance in these humours resulted in exaggerated personality traits, leading to comic situations. Jonson’s plays, especially Volpone (1606), showcase this approach by portraying characters dominated by greed, deception, and moral corruption.

Satire in Volpone

Volpone is a satirical comedy that exposes human greed and the corruption of society. Jonson uses sharp wit and irony to criticize the obsession with wealth and power. The play is set in Venice, a city often associated with commerce and moral decay in Renaissance literature.

1. Greed as the Central Vice

1. The protagonist, Volpone (meaning “fox” in Italian), is a wealthy conman who fakes illness to trick greedy individuals into giving him gifts in hopes of inheriting his fortune.
2. His servant, Mosca (“the fly”), helps him manipulate people, showing the dishonesty and corruption of both the powerful and their servants.
3. Critique of Corrupt Society

1. Jonson satirizes lawyers, merchants, and nobles, showing how greed makes people willing to deceive and betray others.
2. The play suggests that material wealth corrupts morality, making people blind to justice and truth.

Themes of Greed and Moral Corruption

1. Materialism vs. Morality

1. Volpone and the other characters are obsessed with money and power, leading them to abandon ethical values.
2. The play reflects the Renaissance concern with materialism, criticizing the way society prioritizes wealth over integrity.
3. Deception and Manipulation

1. Volpone pretends to be dying to fool those who seek his wealth, while Mosca deceives both his master and the victims.
2. This theme connects to the Comedy of Humours, where exaggerated personality traits (such as greed) lead to foolish behaviour.
3. Justice and Punishment

1. Unlike Shakespearean comedies that end in marriage and reconciliation, Jonson’s comedies often conclude with moral lessons.
2. At the end of Volpone, the deceivers are exposed, and justice is served, reinforcing the idea that greed and dishonesty lead to downfall.

Conclusion

Ben Jonson’s Volpone is a brilliant satire that exposes the dangers of greed and corruption. Through the Comedy of Humours, Jonson portrays a world where people are ruled by their excesses, leading to comedic but meaningful consequences. The play remains relevant as a critique of human greed, deception, and the corrupting power of wealth, making it a lasting example of classical satirical comedy.

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University Questions

1. How does Ben Jonson’s Volpone use the Comedy of Humours to critique greed and corruption in society?
2. In what ways does Volpone reflect satirical themes through character behaviour and dramatic structure?
3. Discuss the role of bodily humours in shaping the exaggerated traits of characters in Volpone, and how this supports the play’s moral message.
4. What role do Volpone and Mosca play in exposing the theme of deception in the play?
5. How is the concept of materialism versus morality presented in Volpone?
6. How does Volpone differ from Shakespearean comedy in terms of ending and moral resolution?

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