rs control their character trait, and they become overly greedy, lustful, or foolish, etc. These characters act in a funny and strange way. In a comedy of humours, we also find satire of human behaviour and moral lessons.

“Volpone” as a Comedy of Humours: Ben Jonson’s play “Volpone,” published in 1606, is a classic example of a comedy of humours. The characters in the play show strong humour. All the major characters: Volpone, Mosca, Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino are controlled by excessive greed. Because of their greed, they act in a funny and foolish way. Now, let us examine how “Volpone” aligns with the genre of comedy of humours.

One Strong Humour: Each character in this play has one strong humour. Hence, they become overly greedy, lustful, cunning, deceiving, or foolish. It makes them humorous and absurd. For example:

Volpone (The Fox): Volpone is driven by greed and deceit. Though he is a very rich man, he wants more gold and money. For this reason, he scams people to take away their wealth. Volpone also worships gold as a saint every morning. As he says,

Open the shrine, that I may see my Saint.”

Mosca (The Parasite): Mosca’s character is overly cunning and deceiving. He always looks for ways to deceive others. At first, Mosca helps Volpone to scam the legacy-hunters. Later, he wants to betray Volpone to get his fortune. 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.

Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino: These legacy hunters represent unchecked greed and moral corruption. Each of them wants to impress Volpone with valuable gifts, so that they can be his heir after his death. This excessive greed also makes them funny, foolish, and easy prey for Volpone’s scheme. 

Lady Politic Would-Be: Another example of humour is Lady Politic Would-Be. Her humour is pride and talkativeness. She talks too much and thinks she knows everything. She becomes a figure of fun because of her boastful nature.

Satire of Human Behaviour:  “Comedy of Humours” satires human behaviour. In “Volpone,” Jonson mercilessly satires excessive greed. All the major characters are driven by greed. Though Volpone is a rich man, he wants more money and gold. So, he scams the legacy-hunters. On the other hand, the legacy-hunters try to impress Volpone with gifts, only to be his heir. Mosca betrays his master to take all his fortune. All the characters are morally corrupted. Jonson makes fun of the moral flaws of his time. He turns his characters’ humours into tools for satire.

Moral Lesson: “Comedy of Humours” contains a moral lesson, and “Volpone” is no exception. At the end of the play, all greedy people are punished by the court. Volpone is sent to prison, and his entire property is donated to a hospital. Mosca is whipped and sent away as a slave. Voltore is exiled from the city. Corbaccio is sent to a monastery, and Corvino must pay a huge dowry to his wife Celia. The play delivers a moral lesson: excessive greed leads to moral corruption and, ultimately, self-destruction. The play’s end reminds us of Volpone’s earlier comment about avarice (excessive greed):

“What a rare punishment is avarice to itself.”

For these reasons, “Volpone” is a classic comedy of humours. The play contains character traits dominated by humours, funny situations, and also moral lessons. Through this play, Ben Jonson not only entertains but also critiques the vices of his society.