BEN JONSON'S VOLPONE

Volpone Mosca master Characters

Jonson’s Volpone theory of Comedy

Volpone and Mosca "are above all else master actors; not the kind of actors who learn their lines beforehand, but improvisers who ex- temporize their lines and actions and make up their plot as they go along." Elaborate and illustrate this view of the characters of the two men. Or "The idea of playing is the central theme of Volpone, and ultimately all the other details of the intricately wrought play feed into this master image." Show the truth of this opinion.

Would you regard the sub-plot in Volpone as an excrescence, or as a vital ingredient in the play as a whole? Or Discuss the relevance of the sub-plot in Volpone. Or What purpose does the sub-plot in Volpone serve? Some critics have objected to its loose connection with the main plot. What is your opinion in the matter?

Some critics are disposed to regard Volpone as a tragedy rather than a comedy. What is your opinion in the matter? Or Would you say that there is something tragic about the play Volpone? Or Does the character Volpone excite your sympathy? Give reasons for your answer.

What is dramatic irony? Write a note on the use of dramatic Ironvin Volpone. Or To what extent is the humour of Volpone due to the use of dramatic irony ? Or Sescribe the comic effects which are produced by the device of dramatic irony in Volpone. Or Show that the play Volpone is pervaded throughout by dramatic irony.

"Jonson is one of the masters of dramatic structure". To what extent does Volpone illustrate the truth of this remark? Or Discuss the plot-construction of Volpone, bringing out its merits and its faults (if any). Or Comment on the inter-weaving of the various threads which make up the plot of Volpone.

What is meant by the comedy of humours? Discuss the play, Volpone, as a comedy of humours. Or Would you regard Volpone as a comedy of humours? Give reasons for your answer? Or Write a note on character-portrayal in Volpone.

Discuss Volpone as a study of avarice or greed. What, in your opinion, is the central theme of Volpone? Give reasons. ; "The world of Volpone is crudely materialistic and gold-centred." Elaborate with illustrations from the play.