The Theme of Honor in Ben Jonson's Play "Volpone"

Paper Summary:

This essay explores the notion of honor in Jonson's play "Volpone" -the manner in which the idea of honor differs from character to character and how honor motivates the characters' actions and interactions.

From the Paper:

"When Ben Jonson wrote Volpone in the seventeenth century, he was unaware of the theatrical capabilities such as pyrotechnics that are available for modern play productions. Even more, Jonson could not have fathomed computer-generated graphics that are available for television and movie productions. Jonson mainly had dialogue and the characters' interactions within his grasp to create an entertaining play; he relies on the intellectual qualities of the play rather than the aesthetics. As a result, Jonson develops basic themes of mankind that convey his rare perception of human nature. One of the most fundamental themes found in this play and in nature is honor. Although humans have probably always had a notion of honor, the definition of honor and objects that contain honor vary among people and cultures. In Volpone, Jonson portrays how the idea of honor differs from character to character and how honor motivates the characters' actions and interactions."

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