Introduction
People often look at rich people, and the influence they have and the respect they command because of their status and the money they have and all they want is to be like them. However, all these successful people did not wake up one day and found they have money they have been working hard for a period to acquire their status. In Volpone, the characters are describing the culture of the society we live in today where money gives power, courage, and fame. Money and power go together but at times how influences our thoughts about life to depend on what ways we come up with to get the money. Volpone in the play thinks that if he gets the money he will have power over others and it will bring him respect and influence. Volpone formulates a plan to raise the money by cheating the people that know him that he is sick and will die soon, he thinks that after the people donate to him, he will later have enough money to command respect from everyone around him. Volpone believes that everyone has the same ambitions and thoughts about life when he tries to seduce Celia and win her over by promising her money (Johnson, 1999). According to Volpone money is everything and he is annoyed when Celia refuses to accept the sexual advances that he attempts to rape her.
Thesis statement
Money brings power through self-respect, but most people let greed guide them into thinking that with money everything will be at their disposal that is why they end up disrespecting themselves in the name of power.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The play depicts how greed can drive people to go to unmeasurable lengths just to have wealth. In this play the characters are inspired to donate to one sick man their possessions with the hope of being the beneficiaries of his wealth after his death; however, the men are not aware that they are being played by the sick man to donate to him and boost his status yet he is pretending to be sick. Greed makes people think that money gives power; it is true that wealth can earn a person a higher status in society, but to maintain that power one has to respect themselves and choose wise ways to get their wealth.
If wealth does not translate to power, then what does, there are several explanations why riches do not turn into energy so effortlessly. First, real generosity is particularly hard to achieve, mainly if that generosity aims to counteract central social tendencies. Nor should people assume that non-profits always drive change. Second, when the wealthy input in groups they do not still synchronize successfully. Most of them love being at the forefront of everything or charge like in the play where Mosca is trying to convince each of the men donating to Volpone to step up their efforts and be at the forefront of becoming a beneficiary(Johnson, 1999). Third, most of the wealthy prefer consuming ego rents instead of effectiveness. Lastly, equality and the market regulate a considerable part of modern society, and it is difficult for strangers to grab these opportunities.
Money at times does translate to power because people with varying financial capabilities create a particular kind of power dynamic in a group. In this case in the play, we see both Volpone and Mosca are from different economic classes, and that is why Mosca being the servant is left to the dirty work while Volpone reaps the benefits. The two are greedy; they have no integrity and no moral sense that is why they choose to use their influence to exploit others for their gain. However the two are not the only ones who think money is power, even some other characters in the play also go to great lengths to feed their egos and work hard to try and remain at the top (Manlove, 1979). An individual with less money to donate is consciously employing the strange logic of compensating in endless ways, in presenting a great outward liking towards another person over their concerns, so they look like they have also given an equal investment. Mosca is aware that people are greedy and they would do anything to have the power that is why he uses the men against themselves for his benefits and also to please his employer.
The play shows us that a complex character that is funny and repelling, the play is entertaining, but it tries to pass a message of how money corrupts the mind and blinds a person into thinking that a particular decision is right when it’s not. Volpone is called a fox because he is very canning, Mosca is a fly that follows you everywhere and is very irritating. Volpone talks about how money is like a god that empowers men and makes them do all things (Johnson, 1999). A person can gain power if they have a moral sense and are not selfish because selfishness means they only think of meeting their personal needs and wants devoid of what others think or deserve. The only way to gain power and maintain it is through unselfishness and self-respect.
Conclusion
Money can give power if only a person respects himself enough to utilize that position wisely. However, most people are guided by greed and selfishness that they think of themselves and how a particular situation can work for their benefit. Money and power are connected because with money people gain power and with power comes great responsibility. However, some people perceive power as a way of controlling others.
References
Jonson, B. (1999). Volpone, or the Fox . Manchester University Press.
Manlove, C. N. (1979). The Double View in Volpone. Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 , 19 (2), 239-252.
