Summary In a conspiratorial aside, Volpone entreats Mosca to rid him of “my madam with the everlasting voice!” Always the man of business, the parasite asks the fox if Lady Would-be has given a present to Volpone. “Oh, I do not care!” moans the suffering gentleman. “I’ll take her absence […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 4
Summary Lady Would-be makes a fashionable entrance and immediately sends the dwarf Nano to find her dressing woman. Volpone and Nano talk to the audience in asides, commenting on Lady Would-be’s plumage and preparations. After extensive emergency repair work has been performed, the dressing woman and dwarf exit and Lady […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3
Summary Meanwhile, at home in his lavish lair, anxious Volpone passes the hour of waiting by watching a performance of his household fools. After a short interlude, a knock interrupts the playing. Volpone hopes for Mosca’s return, but the dwarf tells him it is the English lady. Volpone is to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2
Summary Mosca’s musings are interrupted by Old Corbaccio’s son, Bonario (good fellow). The parasite attempts to speak with the young man, but Bonario is “loath to interchange discourse” with such a person. Unperturbed, Mosca rejects the direct insult of “baseness” and falls into a lament upon the accident of his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1
Summary Mosca is discovered in the street, soliloquizing on the nature, number, and the kinds of parasitic fools. Analysis Once again, the act is divided into two locales. The first two scenes take place on a street. It is necessary that we become more completely acquainted with Mosca’s disposition. Thus […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 7
Summary Corvino summons his wife, who enters blubbering. The raven disclaims all jealousy and commands Celia to dress in her best attire; they are going to a feast at Volpone’s house. There, predicts Corvino, “it shall appear how far I am free from jealousy or fear.” Analysis Corvino persuades his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 7Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 6
Summary Corvino turns from wrath to wreathed smiles in anticipation of the announcement of Volpone’s death. Alas, Mosca dashes his hopes with the news that Scoto’s oil has affected Volpone’s recovery. Furthermore, the blessed juice was procured for Volpone by Corbaccio and Voltore. They have hired a physician to prescribe […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 6Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 5
Summary The action shifts to a room in Corvino’s house. The raven is furious with Celia for flirting with the disguised Volpone. Celia has rendered death to his honor by making eyes at the city’s fool. Perhaps she would like to play Lady Vanity of the morality plays to mortify […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4
Summary After the crowd disperses in confusion, Volpone and Mosca stagger down to the front of the stage in great distress. Volpone has been wounded by “angry Cupid, bolting from her [Celia’s] eyes.” Volpone must see her or die a wretched man. Though the meeting seems impossible, Mosca undertakes to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3
Summary Corvino suddenly rushes from his house, screaming at and beating on the disguised Volpone, demanding that he leave instantly. Does Scoto of Mantua intend to make Corvino a Pantalone and his wife a Franciscina? Sir Politic interprets this unexpected excitement as a trick of state and beats a hasty […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3