The Ragnarok and "Volpone"

Paper Summary:

An essay examining the similarities between the Norse myth of Ragnarok and the Ben Jonson play "Volpone". This paper places emphasis on the trickster natures of the 'mythical' figures of Odin, Loki, Volpone and Mosca.

From the Paper:

"Ben Jonson's Volpone is a classic story about the destruction of men by their own scheming. Though the story does not directly evoke Norse mythology, the story of Volpone's downfall- concluded in a devastating punishment scene- mirrors the destruction of the Nordic gods under Odin. In Norse mythology Odin is a cunning trickster, served and aided at times by lesser trickster god named Loki. Ragnarok, the last battle of the gods which leads to their destruction, is brought about by Loki and his offspring as he seeks to supplant Odin. Volpone himself is Odin and Mosca is Loki, and it is Mosca's attempt to overthrow Volpone that leads to the destruction of himself and the majority of the characters in the play in a final cataclysmic scene. Volpone reflects the Ragnarok story and the simple motif that the attempt to rise above one's position and supplant one's betters will be destructive not only to the perpetrator, but to all those involved in the event."

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