Volpone

Had an insight you weren't able to say before the bell rang? Blog it here, credit awarded.

Discussion Questions


Clarify any plot questions, focusing on being able to summarize key aspects, including the role of each character. Review the study guide questions. Open up the discussion to any areas where you had difficulty.

Does Volpone enjoy having or acquiring money? Discuss the difference. What aspects of the comedy support the view that Volpone is a play about greed?

What are Voltore, Corbaccio and Corvno willing to give up for Volpone’s fortune? Discuss the limits you place on sacrifice for wealth.

Discuss Volpone as a comedy about justice and injustice, as well as a play about acting, pretense, and betrayal.

What sorts of punishments and rewards are meted out at the end of the play? What makes each of the appropriate?

Discuss the function in the play of Volpone’s fools: Nano, Adrogyno and Castrone. Why has Jonson included them in his play? What do they tell us about Volpone and his world?

Which characters in Volpone may be considered above reproach? What qualities doe they exhibit? How does the playwright treat them differently than the other characters?

The characters in Volpone often pretend to be what they are not, or say what they do not mean. Identify such instances in the actions of the main characters. Do you find this behavior common in everyday life? Illustrate your answer with examples.

What elements make Volpone a dark comedy? Describe scenes or images which exemplify this.

What sort of judges are the Avocatori? Are they fair? What is their function in the play?

What does it mean that theater is a mirror of society? Compare and contrast the way Volpone mirrors society, past and present.

The importance of the classics consists in the perennial value, in their power to communicate universal themes and ideas that transcend time and space. How would you judge Volpone and Love is the Best Medicine in light of these criteria?

How is the theme of love and its various aspects addressed in Volpone? In Love is the Best Medicine?

AP Lit and Satire

Welcome to AP Literature!

I'm using this blog address to continue discussion through the spring. Anyone familiar with the content, regardless of enrollment in the class, is welcome to comment.

As we've been discussing, satire mocks in order to bring about a change in society. Usually these paradigm changers are castigated for dragging others out of the cave toward what the satirists view as enlightenment. The current controversy over political cartoons depicting Muhammed is a prime example. Can you find other historical examples or references of satirists who have gone too far? This is an all play, but you must still play by the school rules and not post any inflammatory or obscene content. (For example, note the discretion of the above link indicating the controversy, but not actually posting the potentially offensive material.)

Points awarded!

Nation writing contest

Nation Student Writing Contest

Sponsored by the BIL Charitable Trust to recognize and reward the best in student writing and thinking.

We're looking for original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to tell us what issue is of most concern to their generation. Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. We'll select five finalists and one winner, who will be awarded a $500 cash prize and a Nation subscription. The winning essay will be published in the magazine and featured on our website. The five finalists will be awarded $100 each and subscriptions, and their entries will be published online. The contest is open to students at American high schools and to undergraduates at American colleges and universities. Entries (only one per student) will be accepted through March 31. A winner will be announced by May 31. Please send entries to studentprize@thenation.com.

The Award
The Nation will select one winner and five finalists. The winner will be awarded a $500 cash prize and a free Nation subscription; the winning essay will be published in The Nation magazine and featured at The Nation online.
The five finalists will be awarded cash prizes of $100 each along with subscriptions, and their entries will be published on The Nation online.