PL/Volpone: Temptation, Seduction

Question 1

Overall Argument

Answer 1

Rhetoric centres massively around this theme, but from this we see that in order for rhetoric to have effect the ‘tempter’ must appeal to values that are central to the victim.

Question 2

Paragraph 1: Quotes

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:

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:

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 a ‘abiding distrust for rhetoric’ - Major

Aristotle - rhetoric was to be ‘persuasive in every case’