Major Characters

Volpone: A rich old man from Venice. He pretends to be very sick to trick greedy men into giving him gifts. His name means “The Fox.” He loves money and pleasure.

Mosca: Volpone’s parasite and helper. He is clever and supports Volpone’s tricks. He grows confident and tries to get more power, but ends up in conflict with Volpone.

Celia: The good and religious wife of Corvino. She is beautiful and loyal to her husband. She shows self-control and honesty.

Voltore: A greedy lawyer who wants to inherit Volpone’s wealth. He is skilled in lying and uses words to trick others.

Corvino: Celia’s jealous and violent husband. He wants money more than love and mistreats Celia

Corbaccio: An old, sick man who hopes to inherit Volpone’s fortune. He disinherits his son to get Volpone’s favor.

Bonario: Corbaccio’s honest son. He is brave and loyal. He helps protect Celia from Volpone.

Sir Politic Would-be: An English knight living in Venice. He is naive and easily fooled.

Minor Characters

Lady Politic Would-be: Sir Politic’s talkative and vain wife. She tries to trick Volpone like the greedy others.

Peregrine: A young English traveler in Venice. He is clever and not easily fooled.

Nano: Volpone’s dwarf and fool. He entertains Volpone with songs and jokes.

Castrone: Volpone’s servant and eunuch. He does not speak in the play.

Androgyno: A hermaphrodite and a professional fool in Volpone’s house.

Four Avocatori, a Notario, Officers of the Court, and three Mercatori: These are court officers and merchants who help run the legal and business scenes in the play.