Voltore’s Gift to Volpone: A Symbol of Loyalty and Affection

Voltore’s Gift to Volpone: A Symbol of Loyalty and Affection

In Ben Jonson’s play “Volpone,” there is a fascinating relationship between two characters, Volpone and Voltore. Voltore is a lawyer who is hoping to inherit Volpone’s wealth, and he goes to great lengths to flatter and please Volpone. In return, Volpone gives Voltore a gift that is symbolic of their relationship. This gift, a golden statue of a vulture, represents loyalty and affection, and it is a powerful symbol of the bond between these two characters. Over the course of the play, the gift becomes a focal point for the characters and their motivations, as they struggle to maintain their loyalty and trust in each other. This fascinating dynamic between Volpone and Voltore is a testament to Jonson’s skill as a writer and his ability to create complex and nuanced relationships between his characters. In this article, we will explore the symbolism of Voltore’s gift and how it reflects the themes of loyalty and affection in “Volpone.”

The character of Voltore and his relationship with Volpone

Voltore is one of the three parasites in “Volpone,” along with Corbaccio and Corvino. He is a lawyer who hopes to inherit Volpone’s wealth by proving that he is the closest friend to the fox. Voltore is described as a “buzzard” by Mosca, Volpone’s servant. The metaphor is quite fitting, as Voltore is always circling around Volpone, waiting for a chance to swoop in and take what he wants. However, despite his unscrupulous nature, Voltore is also a skilled lawyer and a master of flattery. He knows exactly how to play up to Volpone’s ego and make him feel important.

Volpone, on the other hand, is a wealthy and cunning Venetian nobleman who feigns illness to lure his three parasites into his schemes. He is a master of disguise and deception, and he enjoys manipulating those around him for his own amusement. Volpone is not interested in leaving his wealth to any of his parasites, but he enjoys watching them compete for his favor.

The symbolism of Voltore’s gift

When Volpone gives Voltore a golden statue of a vulture, he is sending a clear message about their relationship. The vulture is a symbol of loyalty and affection, but it is also a symbol of greed and opportunism. In ancient mythology, the vulture was associated with the goddess Nemesis, who punished those who were too proud or too greedy. The vulture was also associated with the god Zeus, who was said to have taken the form of a vulture to steal fire from the gods.

In “Volpone,” the vulture represents the parasitic nature of Voltore’s relationship with Volpone. Like a vulture, Voltore is always waiting for a chance to swoop in and take what he wants. However, the vulture also represents loyalty and affection, as it is a bird of prey that mates for life. In giving Voltore the statue, Volpone is acknowledging the loyalty and affection that Voltore has shown him, but he is also reminding him of his place in the pecking order.

Loyalty and affection in “Volpone”

The theme of loyalty and affection is central to “Volpone.” All of the parasites are vying for Volpone’s favor, hoping to inherit his wealth. However, their loyalty and affection are always conditional. They are willing to betray each other at the slightest hint of an advantage, and they are always looking for ways to outdo each other.

In contrast, the loyalty and affection between Volpone and Mosca is genuine. Mosca is Volpone’s servant, but he is also his confidant and friend. Mosca is always one step ahead of the other parasites, and he is the one who orchestrates the elaborate schemes that make up the plot of the play. However, Mosca’s loyalty and affection for Volpone are not without limits. When Volpone is exposed as a fraud, Mosca turns on him and reveals his true nature to the court.

Comparison of Voltore’s gift to other gifts in the play

Voltore’s gift is just one of several gifts that are exchanged in “Volpone.” Each gift is symbolic and represents the relationship between the giver and the receiver.

For example, when Corbaccio gives Volpone a bag of coins, he is symbolically giving him his soul. Corbaccio is an old man who hopes to inherit Volpone’s wealth by discrediting his son. However, he is also a man who is racked with guilt and plagued by his own mortality. By giving his money to Volpone, he is hoping to secure his place in the afterlife.

Similarly, when Corvino gives his wife, Celia, to Volpone, he is symbolically giving him his honor. Corvino is a jealous and possessive man who hopes to inherit Volpone’s wealth by trading his wife for a chance to sleep with her. However, he is also a man who is deeply insecure about his own masculinity. By giving his wife to Volpone, he is hoping to prove his own virility.

Analysis of the scene in which Voltore gives the gift

The scene in which Voltore gives the gift to Volpone is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates the power of symbolism in the play. The gift of the vulture is not just a physical object; it is a symbol of the relationship between the two characters. It represents the loyalty and affection that Voltore feels for Volpone, but it also represents the parasitic nature of their relationship.

Second, the scene demonstrates the power dynamic between the two characters. Voltore is humbly offering his gift to Volpone, acknowledging his superiority. However, he is also subtly reminding Volpone of the debt that he owes him. By accepting the gift, Volpone is acknowledging Voltore’s loyalty and affection, but he is also asserting his dominance over him.

Finally, the scene foreshadows the betrayal that is to come. Voltore is offering his gift to Volpone, but he is also secretly plotting his downfall. He hopes to use the gift as a way to gain Volpone’s trust and secure his place as his heir. However, his plan ultimately backfires, and he is exposed as a fraud.

The impact of Voltore’s gift on the plot

Voltore’s gift has a significant impact on the plot of the play. It sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to the downfall of all of the parasites.

When Voltore gives the gift to Volpone, he hopes to gain his trust and secure his place as his heir. However, this plan backfires when Volpone decides to fake his own death and trick the parasites into revealing their true natures. Voltore is exposed as a fraud, and he is forced to confess his crimes to the court.

The gift of the vulture also plays a key role in the final act of the play. When Mosca is called to testify against Volpone and the other parasites, he brings the statue with him as evidence of their guilt. The statue serves as a powerful symbol of the parasitic nature of their relationships and their greed and opportunism.

The significance of Voltore’s gift in the larger themes of the play

The gift of the vulture is just one example of the many symbols and motifs in “Volpone” that reflect the larger themes of the play. The play is a satire of Venetian society, and it explores themes of greed, corruption, and the dangers of ambition.

The gift of the vulture represents the parasitic nature of the relationships between the parasites and Volpone. It also represents the loyalty and affection that they feel for each other, but this loyalty and affection are always conditional. The vulture is a reminder of the consequences of their actions and the dangers of their ambition.

Conclusion: the enduring power of loyalty and affection in literature

In “Volpone,” Ben Jonson creates a complex and nuanced relationship between Volpone and Voltore. The gift of the vulture is just one example of the many symbols and motifs in the play that reflect the larger themes of greed, corruption, and the dangers of ambition. However, it is also a powerful symbol of the enduring power of loyalty and affection in literature.

Despite the parasitic nature of their relationship, Voltore and Volpone share a bond that is based on loyalty and affection. This bond is tested throughout the play, but it endures until the very end. The gift of the vulture is a reminder that even in the midst of greed and corruption, there is still room for loyalty and affection. It is a testament to the enduring power of human relationships and the complexities of the human heart.

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