Volpone, or, The Fox

Volpone, or The Fox, is a comedy by Ben Jonson first produced in 1606, notable for its sharp satire of greed and lust. The play follows Volpone, a wealthy Venetian gentleman feigning illness to manipulate three suitors—Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino—who seek to inherit his fortune. Through the cunning of his servant Mosca, Volpone exploits their desires, leading to a series of comedic and morally complex situations. This work is recognized as one of the finest examples of Jacobean comedy and remains Jonson's most-performed play.