PL/Volpone: Pride,Vanity, Greed

Question 1

Overall Argument

Answer 1

Milton and Jonson use rhetoric to expose these societal flaws. Therefore their works can be read as a social commentary on values (morality).

Question 2

Paragraph 1: Mosca and Corvino

Answer 2

‘But some young woman must be sought straight out…to sleep by him’

‘And to this service - most unhappily, And most unwillingly - am I now employed’ - Dramatic irony, Mosca makes out C’s misfortune makes him sad, actually makes him happy. We know this.

‘Covetous wretch! Mosca I have determined’ - Mosca has used his rhetoric to make C appear a fool.

‘Mine own wife’

Question 3

Paragraph 2: Eve and Satan

Answer 3

‘Queen of the universe’

‘I of brute humam, ye of human gods’ - chiastic structure stresses the great chain of being, what Eve can achieve.

‘Into her heart too easy entrance won.

Question 4

Paragraph 3: Volpone and Celia

Answer 4

Celia is good - rhetoric doesn’t work on her. ‘Sensual baits’

‘Yield or I’ll force thee’ - change in register highlights dark act.

‘I should have done the act, and then have parleyed’

Question 5

Context

Answer 5

Milton had an ‘abiding distrust for rhetoric’ not suprising her associates this theme with the most dismal scene.

Theatre as a moral message.