Reviews

Volpone by Ben Jonson

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frankiereadstoomuch's review against another edition

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funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

sophiedavenport's review against another edition

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2.0

I dont feel I can gove this a rating as I'm studying this in high school and have therefore analysed the crap out of it so it can no longer be good. Confusing for the most part, but as a visual stage production it makes more sense than on paper (obviously). If youre studying for A levels good luck with your exams! ☺

michael__'s review against another edition

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1.0

If you've read some of my reviews, you may have picked up on the fact that I love stories that have a large cast of people that don't really seem to be connected as the rising action moves along, but they all end up coming together towards the story's end. A Tale of Two Cities and The Marrow of Tradition are two examples of those kinds of stories. Volpone can also be considered that kind of story. Too bad it was atrocious.

The basic plot of this play is a really rich guy who acts like he's dying so he can string along a bunch of guys into believing they'll be his heir. Insert into this a plot involving two guys named Politic and Penegrine that really has nothing to with anything.

If you want a more detailed summary of it, you'll either have to read it or ask someone else since it was too convoluted for me to really make sense of it. I usually love complicated storylines, too, but of course, this was an exception to that rule.

After hearing so many comparisons of Jonson to Shakespeare, this was glaringly disappointing. Sigh.

debbie_likes_to_read_books's review against another edition

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1.0

✨WHAT DID I JUST READ✨
Wow, that was one boring way to go out

elcaineelc's review against another edition

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3.0

An interesting play, filled with witty word play and hidden motivations

annaavian's review against another edition

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3.0

A satire of human greed and corruption that is as relevant now as it was when first performed about 400 years ago. Nobody can be trusted, and you hate pretty much everyone. There is no one here to root for in a story full of opportunistic liars.
Times change, but human nature doesn’t.