GOAL: 1) To show close reading skills and work with key passages from Volpone to identify allegorical elements. 2) To build a) critical reading and thinking skills and b) an understanding of allegory in drama. 3) This short writing activity builds on critical reading and thinking skills to succeed in the learning process of interpreting a piece of literature with theoretical approaches.

INSTRUCTIONS: Work with quote below to identify characteristics of allegory in Jonson’s drama. On Celia, “Good sir, these might move a mind affected/With such delights; but I whose innocence/Is all  I can think wealthy, or worth th’ enjoying,/And which once lost, I have nought to lose beyond its, / Cannot be taken with these sensual baits” (III.vii, 206-210).

GOAL: A) To show close reading skills with key passages from Volpone. B) To identify its allegorical elements on characters 1)  To build critical reading, thinking skills, and understand allegorical elements. And, 2) This short writing activity builds on critical reading and thinking skills to succeed in the learning process of ‘interpreting’ a piece of literature with theoretical approaches.

INSTRUCTIONS: Work with the two quotes below. In writing identify the allegorical characteristics in Jonon’s drama. Then, explain how both passages allude to Aesop’s Fables and the animal fable.  Explain your insight on the role of allegory in Volpone; Or the Fox.

“…vulture, kite, Raven, and gor-crow, all my birds of prey, / That think me turning carcass, now they come. / I am not for ‘em yet” (I.ii,89-92).

“Stretched on the earth, with fine delusive sleighs, / Mocking a gaping crow” (I.ii, 95-97).  

GOAL: Refer to Aesop’s Fable “The Fox and the Crow.” This short writing activity builds on critical reading and thinking skills to succeed in the learning process of ‘interpreting’ a piece of literature with theoretical approaches.

INSTRUCTIONS: Compare the ‘lesson’ to the character of Volpone and one of the characters who is tricked in Jonson’s Volpone; Or the Fox.

The Fox and the Crow

A Crow having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. “How handsome is the Crow,” he exclaimed, “in the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!” This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the Crow: “My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.”