Reviews for Penguin Classics Volpone and Other Plays

The average rating for Penguin Classics Volpone and Other Plays based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-03-19 00:00:00 Brian Dunbar This review will focus solely on the play Volpone, or the Fox. I read this for a course that focused on Shakespeare and the law. For the last few weeks of school, we analyzed some other authors of that era. I enjoyed reading Jonson's work. His use of satire concerning class and greed was so perfect. The play was also hilarious! The play felt to me like an analysis of class levels. Many of the lower class citizens seemed to be fighting against their "appropriate" roles, in my opinion'particularly the dwarf, the eunuch and the hermaphrodite talk about their mistreatment. Unfortunately, in the end, Mosca still receives the most significant punishment. I think this is because of his status, seeing as he and Volpone mainly worked hand-in-handn through their schemes. I was unsure if I agreed with the punishments. Some seemed more overly harsh than others. Lastly, I loved all the animal references. It's such a smart play, and the wit goes many levels deep into the work. I will come back to read more of Jonson's works!

Review # 2 was written on 2008-09-26 00:00:00 Davide Muffatto As absurd as it is insightful, VOLPONE moves at a brisk pace even when nothing in particular is happening. The first time I read it, I had trouble juggling the numerous characters. But eventually each takes a distinct voice: Voltore ("the Vulture) in his purposely ambiguous legalese and Corvino whose every word hangs on anxiety over his wife's unfaithfulness. VOLPONE is really the tale of Mosca, the brilliant parasite who works everyone behind the scenes; in his seemingly minor position, Mosca rises to power by figuring out to how to manipulate the jealousies and ambitions of everyone involved. VOLPONE is about masks, class, sirs and madams, those who embrace philosophy without knowing what it means, and the way humans morph into animals when money is involved. A wonderful play.