Summary Volpone is discovered wandering in the street in a fearful state. “When I had newly ‘scaped, was free and clear!” cries the trapped fox. “Out of mere wantonness!” At that moment the three fools come upon the disguised Volpone, who asks them why they are not at home. When […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 11Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 10
Summary The whole cast is now assembled at the Senate to play out the game. Just as sentence is about to be pronounced on Bonario and Celia, Voltore interrupts the proceedings. He pleads for mercy to conquer justice. Then Voltore throws himself at the feet of Bonario and Celia and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 10Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 9
Summary Just before their arrival at the Senate chamber, Volpone and Voltore meet once more. Volpone tells the vulture that he must be the heir; it is not within the wit of man to cozen so great a lawyer. Volpone is hounded into the courtroom by the seething gulls. Analysis […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 9Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 8
Summary Volpone encounters Corbaccio and Corvino. He tells them that Mosca has a cozening nose. He expresses surprise that such a witty group could be fooled by a parasite. After a parting remark about the valor of cuckolds, Volpone gleefully escapes the gulls’ reach. Analysis Volpone has had much fun […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 8Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 7
Summary Voltore is grumbling about Mosca’s knavery. Volpone tells him that the court awaits his coming, and the fox begins to supplicate for some of the rents from a tenement house owned by the deceased Volpone. When the meaning of the request dawns on Voltore, he vents his spleen on […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 7Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 6
Summary Corbaccio and Corvino are discovered in a Venetian street talking about the sentence that the court is about to pronounce upon Bonario and Celia. Each assures the other he will stick to his original story at the final hearing. What else can they do? Corbaccio did disinherit his son, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 6Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 5
Summary Volpone and Mosca enter, disguised, and each congratulates the other on his appearance. Volpone leaves for a moment to go and see what news can be had from the court. Alone, Mosca reveals himself as follows: “My fox is out of his hole, and ere he shall re-enter, I’ll […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4
Summary Peregrine, disguised and accompanied by three merchants, enters Sir Politic’s house. His design is merely to frighten, not to harm, Sir Politic. The merchants would rather ship him to Aleppo or some other port. Peregrine instructs them to wait until he gets into an argument with Sir Politic before […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3
Summary Voltore is pleased to find Mosca taking inventory, but he is suspicious of the gadfly’s new garb. For his part, Mosca completely ignores the vulture and his questions. Old Corbaccio comes on the scene with the same questions Voltore has, and Mosca continues to devote his entire attention to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2
Summary Volpone confesses to Mosca that cozening the court in such a grand manner was worth “more than if I had enjoyed the wench.” Mosca is content to let the whole plot rest: “This is our masterpiece; we cannot think to go beyond this.” Volpone’s praise of Mosca is unstinting, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2