"It is a satire [,]"David Bevington writes in his essay about Ben Jonson's Volpone and continues without sparing the question of the play's genre another thought. There is, however, no unanimous opinion on the matter, as the ease with which Bevington comes to his conclusion would suggest. The play is too complex to be classified that quickly.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Volpone a Satire?
- 2.1 Influences on Volpone
- 2.1.1 The Beast Fable
- 2.1.2 The Morality Play
- 2.2 Volpone and the Question of Genre
- 2.2.1 Volpone a Romance?
- 2.2.2 Defining Satire
- 2.2.3 Volpone and the Definition of Satire
- 3. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this text is to analyze Ben Jonson's Volpone, examining its genre and influences. While acknowledging the play's satirical elements, the analysis explores other literary traditions that may have shaped its creation. The text investigates the play's relationship to beast fables and morality plays, and considers whether its structure aligns with the characteristics of romance.
- Genre Classification of Volpone
- Influence of Beast Fables on Volpone
- Influence of Morality Plays on Volpone
- Relationship between Volpone and Romance
- Definition and Application of Satire in Volpone
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Ben Jonson's Volpone. It establishes the central question of the play's genre, noting the lack of consensus on whether it's solely a satire. The chapter highlights the play's complexity and suggests that Jonson's influences extended beyond classical satire, hinting at the exploration of other genres and their potential impact on the play's structure and themes. The chapter introduces the objective of examining literary traditions besides satire and the need for a thorough examination of satire itself in relation to Volpone.
2. Volpone – a Satire?: This chapter delves into the core question of whether Volpone can be definitively classified as a satire. It explores the play's various influences, arguing that while satirical elements are undeniable, other genres played a significant role in shaping its overall form and message. The exploration of these influences is crucial to understanding the full scope and complexity of Jonson's work, going beyond a simplistic categorization.
2.1 Influences on Volpone: This section examines two key influences on Volpone: the beast fable and the morality play. The discussion on beast fables analyzes how Jonson employs animalistic character names and behavior, highlighting the parallels between the characters and their animal counterparts in Aesopian fables. This section explores the symbolic significance of these characterizations and their connection to the play's themes. The discussion on morality plays explores the presence of characters representing vices and virtues in Volpone, tracing the parallels between the play's dynamics and the moral allegories characteristic of late morality plays. The analysis considers how these influences contribute to the complexity of the play's moral landscape.
2.2 Volpone and the Question of Genre: This section addresses the multifaceted nature of Volpone's genre. It challenges the simplistic classification of the play as solely a satire by examining the argument for its potential inclusion within the romance genre. This section analyzes the structural elements that align with the open-ended nature of romance, focusing on concepts such as "deferral" and "non-closure". The section explores the implications of viewing Volpone through the lens of romance in order to provide a more complete understanding of the play's structure and thematic complexity.
Keywords
Ben Jonson, Volpone, satire, beast fable, morality play, romance, genre, literary influences, character analysis, thematic analysis.
Ben Jonson's Volpone: A Genre Analysis - FAQ
What is the main objective of this text?
The primary goal is to analyze Ben Jonson's Volpone, focusing on its genre and the literary influences that shaped it. While acknowledging the play's satirical elements, the analysis explores other genres, such as beast fables and morality plays, and considers its potential relationship to romance.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Volpone?
Key themes include genre classification of Volpone, the influence of beast fables and morality plays on the play, the relationship between Volpone and the romance genre, and a detailed examination of satire within the context of the play.
What literary influences are discussed in relation to Volpone?
The analysis examines the influence of beast fables (specifically the use of animalistic characters and behavior) and morality plays (with their representation of vices and virtues) on Jonson's work. The parallels between these literary traditions and Volpone are explored to understand the play's complexity.
How does the text address the question of Volpone's genre?
The text directly tackles the question of whether Volpone is solely a satire. It argues that while satirical elements are present, other genres significantly contribute to the play's overall form and message. The analysis explores the possibility of classifying Volpone as a romance, considering structural elements like "deferral" and "non-closure" that align with the characteristics of romance.
What is the structure of the analysis presented in the text?
The analysis is structured into chapters: an introduction setting the stage, a chapter focusing on Volpone and the question of satire, a section detailing the influences of beast fables and morality plays, a section discussing Volpone in relation to the romance genre, and a concluding chapter. Each section provides a detailed summary and analysis of its respective topic.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the text?
The introduction establishes the central question of the play's genre and hints at a broader exploration of literary influences beyond satire. The main chapter delves into the core question of Volpone as satire, exploring its various influences. Subsections examine the impact of beast fables and morality plays. A further section analyzes Volpone's potential as a romance.
What keywords are associated with the analysis of Volpone?
Keywords include Ben Jonson, Volpone, satire, beast fable, morality play, romance, genre, literary influences, character analysis, and thematic analysis.
What is the intended audience for this text?
The text is intended for academic use, focusing on a structured and professional analysis of the themes and genres present in Ben Jonson's Volpone.
- Quote paper
- Lynn Bay (Author), 2009, Ben Jonson's "Volpone" - A Satire?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/281902
