Volpone

When reading this play, it is hard not to question Ben Johnsons’s motives. What on earth was he thinking before creating this? Don’t get me wrong; the overall idea surrounding the play is utterly hilarious. I found Johnson to be extremely clever with each character resembling an animal. Each animal encompasses what the characters motives and position in the play. Volpone and Mosca have a somewhat sick relationship consisting of greed and disloyalty. This is apparent just from the mere fact that Mosca’s animal character is a fly. I didn’t find the ending to be shocking at all, it was very obvious that Mosca and Volpone’s secret ponzi scheme would have to meet it’s demise. Of course not without one of them thinking their master plan had worked. Towards the end Mosca had the keys in his possession and all the money. He essentially stole everything right from under Volpone. The play obviously can’t end this way. Therefore, Bonario to the rescue! Bonario is in turn given the inheritance, which doesn’t mean a whole lot to him and Volpone is sent away to a syphilis hospital while Mosca is put in the galleys.