Ben Jonson
Volpone; Or, The Fox
"Volpone; Or, The Fox" by Ben Jonson is a comedy play first produced in 1605–1606. In this merciless satire of greed and lust, a wealthy Venetian pretends to be dying to trick three greedy men hoping to inherit his fortune. With his cunning servant Mosca, Volpone weaves elaborate deceptions that escalate dangerously when desire for a beautiful woman enters the scheme. The plots grow increasingly complex until master and servant become entangled in their own web of lies, leading to consequences neither anticipated.