Volpone or The Fox by Ben Johnson

Volpone, an ‘old magnifico’ of Venice, glories ‘more in the cunning purchase of his wealth than in its glad possession’. Aided by ‘his parasite’, the ingenious Mosca, Volpone feigns sickness in a ploy to rob his would-be heirs (‘all my birds of prey that think me turning carcase’) of their own riches, and their dignity. The lies multiply, and Volpone’s schemes grow ever more reckless, but will the fox be unmasked at last, and will justice prevail? 

Ben Johnson’s dark comedy from 1606 feels, regrettably, as relevant as ever, and still very funny, as it satirises the insatiable greed of rich men who’ll stop at nothing to get even richer.