Volpone

Volpone (, Italian for "sly fox") is a comedy play by English playwright Ben Jonson first produced in 1605–1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-performed play, and it is ranked among the finest Jacobean era comedies. Characters Volpone (the Sly Fox) – a greedy and rich childless Venetian magnifico Mosca (the Fly) – his servant Voltore (the Vulture) – a lawyer Corbaccio (the Raven) – an avaricious old miser Bonario – Corbaccio's son Corvino (the Carrion Crow) – a merchant Celia – Corvino's wife Sir Politic Would-Be – ridiculous Englishman Lady Would-Be (the parrot) – English lady and wife of Sir Politic-Would-Be Peregrine ("Pilgrim") – another, more sophisticated, English traveller Nano – a dwarf, companion of Volpone Androgyno – a hermaphrodite, companion of Volpone Castrone – a eunuch, companion of Volpone The Avocatori – the judges of Venice Synopsis