Volpone

Volpone returns to his house glad the scheme is over. He felt cramped in his public sickly disguise and prefers playing tricks in the comfort of his home. He fears that his fake ailments may become real, and to wash away his anxiety, he drinks wine.

Mosca arrives and celebrates their success. Volpone praises the result, but Mosca doesn’t think he is sufficiently impressed with their “masterpiece” (5.2.13). Volpone doesn’t understand how it can be that the suitors still don’t suspect a thing, but Mosca knows the promise of gold blinds them. Volpone admits he was nervous, but he still enjoyed the trick. Mosca praises Voltore and asks Volpone to pay the lawyer for his role in their success. Volpone agrees Voltore spoke well, but he won’t pay him just yet.

Instead, Volpone plans a new scheme. He tells his fools to spread the rumor of their master’s death. Volpone plans to write a will naming Mosca the sole heir to shock his suitors. When the suitors come to seek their inheritance, they will instead see Mosca dressed up and inventorying his new estate. Volpone, meanwhile, will hide behind a curtain so he can watch the trick play out.