Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The play opens on a room in Volpone's house in Venice in 1606. It is early morning, and Volpone, a Venetian gentleman whose name means fox, is accompanied by Mosca, his parasite or assistant. Mosca pulls away the curtain to the room where Volpone keeps his vast fortune.

Volpone admires his wealth, calling it a relic and a sacred treasure. Mosca, whose name means fly, and Volpone discuss how riches are better than wisdom, making Volpone extraordinarily fortunate. The reader then learns Volpone did not come upon his fortune honestly, but rather, he is a con man.

Mosca describes how well Volpone spends his fortune. Volpone tells Mosca it is better to spend your fortune and enjoy it than see it rot. At this, the two discuss Volpone's latest con. Volpone has no spouse and no heirs, but there are many people...