Trace the development of the character of Mosca.
Or. Sketch the character of Mosca in the play 'Volpone'.
Or. Sketch the character of Mosca as illustrated in the play 'Volpone'.
“Volpone” is a comedy play by Ben Jonson (1572-1637). First performed in 1606, it was a famous Jacobean era comedy. In this play, Jonson satirises excessive greed and lust. Mosca is a central character in this play. He is a parasite servant of his rich and old master, Volpone. Mosca is cunning, deceptive, and a master manipulator. He manipulates almost every major character in the play. Here, we sketch the character of Mosca below.
Parasite Servant: Mosca is a parasite servant of Volpone. He stays with his rich and old master. The plot of the play centres on Volpone's scheme to deceive people, in which Mosca helps him. Mosca feeds on Volpone like a parasite. “Mosca” means fly/insect. Like a parasite, he clings to Volpone's wealth and status. As the story unfolds, he tries to take over Volpone’s wealth. The audience sees that Mosca, not Volpone, is the true mastermind.
Cunning and Deceptive: Mosca is highly intelligent and a skilled manipulator. He helps Volpone to deceive the legacy-hunters: Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino. In the play, Volpone is an old and wealthy man. He has no heirs. So, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, each man tries to impress him with valuable gifts, so that he can inherit Volpone’s fortune. Mosca uses his cunning to loot the legacy-hunters. He promises all three that they will inherit Volpone's property and take their valuable gifts. He takes an antique, precious plate from Voltore, a bag of gold coins from Corbaccio, and a pearl and diamond from Corvino.
Opportunistic: Throughout the play, Mosca shows an opportunistic nature. He is always looking for ways to benefit more. After taking a bag of gold coins from Corbaccio, Mosca further manipulates him. He convinces him to disinherit his own son, Bonario. He tells him to give his property to Volpone. Mosca also informs Volpone about Corvino’s beautiful wife, Celia. He describes Celia in the following manner:
“O, sir, the wonder,
The blazing star of Italy!... a soft lip,
Would tempt you to eternity of kissing!”
Later, Mosca convinces Corvino to send his wife to Volpone’s bed. He says this will heal Volpone, and Corvino will gain his favour.
Charismatic: Mosca possesses a charismatic personality. His charismatic personality allows him to easily gain the trust of others. He convinces all three legacy hunters that they will be the heirs of Volpone after his death. In Act 3, Scene 1, Mosca recognizes himself as the mastermind behind Volpone's successful scam.
“I fear I shall begin to grow in love with my dear self.”
Betrayer: Mosca's ambition knows no bounds. He is willing to betray even his master. He always wants an opportunity to rise to power and wealth. Mosca says,
“I'll bury him [Volpone], or gain by him: I am his heir.”
In this line, Mosca decides to double-cross his master. He even wants to bury Volpone to get his fortune. As the play unfolds, we see that Volpone wants to tease the legacy-hunters. So, he declares himself dead and wills his property in Mosca’s name, to see the disappointment in the face of legacy hunters. Mosca jumps on this opportunity. As he is the owner of the property now, he banishes Volpone from his own house. It becomes clear that Mosca’s loyalty is superficial. He betrays his master for his own gain.
Comic and Tragic Elements: Mosca's character is a blend of comic and tragic elements. His cunning and the absurdity of his schemes provide much of the play's humor. However, his eventual downfall adds a tragic dimension. At the end, every greedy person is punished. Mosca is whipped and sent away to a ship as a slave. His avarice (excessive greed) leads to his downfall.
In conclusion, Mosca is a parasite servant, a master manipulator, whose ambition knows no bounds. He even tricks his own master. His downfall points to the moral of the play: avarice leads to moral decay, deception, and ultimately, downfall.
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