Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Nano, a dwarf, Castrone, a eunuch, and Androgyno, an hermaphrodite all enter the scene to entertain Volpone. Nano tells a fable, tracing Androgyno's soul back to Pythagoras. Volpone then begins to sing a song in praise of fools, court jesters. There is a knock at the door, and Mosca says Signor Voltore, a lawyer, has arrived.

Volpone sends him to fetch his sick clothes and to let in Voltore. When Mosca returns, he informs Volpone that Voltore has brought him an engraved gold plate as a gift. Volpone rushes to put on his sick clothes and recants a litany of illness he has pretended to have for the past three years.

Act 1, Scene 2 Analysis

Nano, Castrone, and Androgyno introduce a grotesque element into the play. They establish themselves as important in several ways. First they represent Volpone. They highlight his lack...