Volpone presentation on act 1 scene 5
...ervants whose names and faces he cannot remember. Corvino proves to be just as gullible as Voltore and Corbaccio, and if not, more. Because if I were him, I would have found it quite strange that Volpone remembers my name, but not that of his servants who fed him day after day, as Mosca implies. As Mosca says that Volpone has given nothing to his family, Corvino becomes insecure and asks if Volpone cannot hear them talking. To this, Mosca begins shouting insults into Volpone’s ear to prove that he is deaf, Volpone playing along of course, and eventually, Corvino joins in and begins shouting at Volpone as well, further proving his gullibility. Mosca might well be doing so to convince Corvino that Volpone cannot hear, but he could well be enjoying insulting his master. And his next action can be seen as a controversial one, despite Volpone brushing it off as a joke. Mosca picks up a pillow and suggests to Corvino that he suffocate Volpone. Corvino denies, but the question still lies whether Mosca intended it as a joke, and if he knew that Corvino would not comply. What if Corvino proceeded to suffocate Volpone? The plot could have taken a drastic turn of events. Nonetheless, Corvino’s reluctance gives way for his leave, and ultimately, the first mention of his wife. As Corvino leaves, he and Mosca express their companionship (Mosca simply pretending however), and state that they will share everything, with the exception of Corvino’s wife. As Corvino leaves, Volpone hops out of bed, reviews his morning’s gains, and orders for “music, banquets, dances and all delights”. As he does so, Lady Politic-Would-Be, the wife of Sir Politic-Would-Be, knocks at the door, Mosca answers, and as Volpone does not want to be bothered, tells her to return in about 3 hours time. This small segment might seem to be somewhat out of place and almost unnecessary, but it acts as a foreshadowing of her return, and also gives the audience a perspective of time within the plot, as the play takes place during the course of a day. It also introduces us somewhat to her and her husband, and discussion over her soon gives way for more information about Corvino’s wife. As they discuss Lady Politic’s lack of beauty, Mosca soon mentions Corvino’s wife’s excess of beauty. Volpone grows interested, and we soon learn that she will serve as his love interest in the play. We know already that Corvino will not share his wife, but under wha...