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Irony
Definition of Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor can be stated explicitly, as... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other... read full definition
Act 2, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Corvino's Wrath:
In Act 2, Scene 5, Corvino unleashes his wrath at Celia as he accuses her of being unfaithful to him for consorting with the "mountebank," who is really Volpone in disguise. In the heat of his anger, he threatens to confine Celia to a small space in their house. He also hyperbolically notes the dangers that await her if she leaves this area, using a simile comparing his rage to an occult summoning ritual gone wrong:
First, I will have this bawdy light dammed up;
And till’t be done, some two, or three yards off
I’ll chalk a line, o’er which if thou but chanceTo set thy desp’rate foot, more hell, more horror,
More wild, remorseless rage shall seize on thee
Than on a conjurerer that had heedless left
His circle’s safety ere his devil was laid.
Related Themes:
Act 4, Scene 6
Explanation and Analysis—The Tears of a Hyena:
In Act 4, Scene 6, Lady Would-Be arrives at the courthouse and berates Celia for testifying against Volpone. She uses both metaphor and idiom to belittle Celia's character:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Ay, This same is she.
Out, thou chameleon harlot! Now thine eyes
Vie tears with the hyena. Dar’st thou look
Upon my wrongèd face? — I cry your pardons.
I fear I have forgettingly transgressed
Against the dignity of the court—
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Mosca's Masterpiece:
In Act 5, Scene 2, Mosca and Volpone reflect on their astounding day in court, during which they managed to deflect all blame for Volpone's attempted rape of Celia onto Celia and Bonario themselves. Wielding his considerable rhetorical skill, Mosca uses metaphor and imagery to describe their act of deception:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Mosca: Why, now you speak, sir! We must here be fixed;
Here we must rest. This is our masterpiece;
We cannot think to go beyond this.Volpone: True, Th’ ast played thy prize, my precious Mosca.
Mosca: Nay, sir, To gull the court—
Volpone: And quite divert the torrent Upon the innocent.
Mosca: Yes, and to make so rare a music out of discords—
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—The Thrill of the Chase:
In Act 5, Scene 5, Volpone leaves Mosca alone in his house as he leaves to check in on the court proceedings. Soliloquizing on his machinations to the audience, Mosca builds upon the metaphorical animal identities of the play's characters and reveals his plot against Volpone, or "the fox."
Unlock with LitCharts A+[...] My fox
Is out on his hole, and ere he shall re-enter,
I’ll make him languish in his borrowed case,
Except he come to composition with me.[...]
So, now I have the keys and am possessed.
Since he will needs be dead afore his time,
I'll bury him, or gain by him. I'm his heir,
And so will keep me, till he share at least.
To cozen him of all were but a cheat
Well placed; no man would cònstrue it a sin.
Let his sport pay for 't. This is called the fox-trap.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 7
Explanation and Analysis—The Final Ingredient:
In Act 5, Scene 12, as Volpone draws to a close, the titular character takes the stage a final time to address the audience directly. Slipping out of character, the actor pleads for a positive reception of the work and uses a metaphor to illustrate the importance of the applause he hopes is impending:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The seasoning of a play is the applause.
Now, though the Fox be punished by the laws,
he yet doth hope there is no suff’ ring due
For any fact which he hath done ‘gainst you.
If there be, censure him; here he doubtful stands.
If not, fare jovially, and clap your hands.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 11
Explanation and Analysis—The End of the Road:
In Act 5, Scene 11, as the rest of the characters head to court for their final judgement before the avocatori, Volpone addresses the audience in a soliloquy laden with metaphor:
Unlock with LitCharts A+To make a snare for mine own neck!
And run
My head into it wilfully, with laughter!
When I had newly ‘scaped, was free and clear!
Out of mere wantonness! O, the dull devil
Was in this brain of mine when I devised it,
And Mosca gave it second; he must now
Help to sear up this vein, or we bleed dead.
