The Representation of Greed in Ben Jonson's Volpone and The Alchemist: A Comparative Study

This study explores the representation of greed in Ben Jonson's Volpone and The Alchemist, examining how the playwright uses satire, characterization, and dramatic irony to expose the destructive consequences of excessive desire for wealth and social advancement. Set against the backdrop of early seventeenth-century England, both plays present a society in which material ambition overrides moral values, leading individuals to deception, manipulation, and corruption. In Volpone, the protagonist's insatiable pursuit of wealth and pleasure ensnares both himself and those driven by the hope of inheritance. Similarly, The Alchemist portrays a range of characters whose greed makes them vulnerable to fraud and exploitation, revealing the pervasive nature of avarice across different social classes. Through a comparative textual analysis, this study argues that Jonson depicts greed not merely as an individual moral failing but as a social disease that undermines justice, integrity, and human relationships. By employing comic satire, Jonson exposes the absurdity of material obsession while simultaneously offering a critique of the ethical decline fostered by an increasingly commercial society. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates that Volpone and The Alchemist remain enduring commentaries on the corrupting power of greed and its profound impact on both individuals and society.