"Wither, wither/ Is shame fled human breasts?... Is that, which ever was a cause for life,/ Now placed beneath the basest circumstance?/ And modesty an exile made for money?" This is the strongest statement of the play's philosophy. Knowing that Jonson put these words into the mouth of Celia proves what a vital role she plays in portraying his moral message. Whilst protagonist Volpone, a hedonist, indulges in as many pleasures as possible, often pursuing …
showed first 75 words of 1019 total

showed last 75 words of 1019 total
…of the play being too artificial. However had Jonson ended the play with Mosca and Volpone escaping punishment, it would have been contrary to the play's educational purpose; showing virtue losing out to vice would not make virtue seem the most favourable option of the two. With Volpone, Jonson set out to entertain and educate. Volpone and Mosca entertain, whilst the invention of Bonario and Celia clearly educates the audience to uphold their moral standings.