The Comic Effect and Satire in Ben Jonson’s Volpone

This paper inquires into the comic effect in Ben Jonson's play Volpone. The characters counteract and mitigate the comic effect of the play in complex ways. Jonson uses Volpone to show how obnoxious human greed is through parody and satire, giving full attention to vice to such a degree that the impression of the play quite goes against the effect of a typical comedy. Though it may be deliberate on the part of the playwright, Celia and Bonario are too simplistic and naive with no compelling traits, compared with other characters. Yet, Volpone’s song to Celia is both romantic and comical, in which his true self collides with his criminal intention. When Volpone's offences are revealed in court, we feel embarrassed. Why? This may have something to do with our attachment to Volpone's amusing nature, which makes him different from other villains and with his versatility of taking multiple roles as a good player in a game and a performer in a play. It is interesting to note that the play's resolution in which Volpone is judged by those who win our disdain is quite disturbing. Volpone is a complex character, and we see in his folly a reflection of our own.