Friday, October 16, 2009
End Justifies the Means?
It is pretty clear that the characters in Volpone think that the end will justify the means. Do you think that is the attitude of the play? Is that what the audience should think? In your answer, be specific in the characters that do believe that the end justifies the means--no matter what means--and then show how the play may or may not contradict the attitudes of the characters.
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I think that the end will justify the means is the attitude of the play, but I think that the audience does not think that. Volpone and Mosca do think this because they feel that when the whole plot blows over, everyone would be happy and everyone gains something. Voltore, Corvino, and Corbaccio also believe that the end will justify the means because Mosca tricked all three of them into thinking that they will be Volpone’s heir. They think that if they do everything Mosca and Volpone “needs” or want, they will have the biggest prize or treasure in the end. Celia, however, does not think that the end will be worth it all. When Corvino tells her to go be with Volpone, she refuses because she knows that it is wrong and there will not be a good outcome.
ReplyDeleteThe characters in the play are selfish, gullible, and ignorant. Volpone lies and manipulations might get him what he wants, but at the end he might be shunned from the community. Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino are fighting for the heir of a man that they have no idea what is really wrong with him, and they are very gullible to give him anything of theirs. Their decisions will not justify their means. I think the only person whose actions will justify their means is Mosca. He can tell what he wants to whom he wants and it does not matter because he has only one person that cares for and that is Volpone. The characters names are correctly suitable for each ones personality and actions.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude of the play does, indeed, seem to be that of "The end justifies the means." We see this ideal present in many characters of the play. For example, each character that hopes to become Volpone's heir and receive his treasures upon his death seems to live by this attitude. Voltore agrees to condemn two innocent people to a gruesome fate in order to become Volpone's heir. Corbaccio disinherits his own son, who was accused of nothing at the time of Corbaccio's decision, in an attempt to become Volpone's heir to his treasure. Corvino lies about his wife, calling her a whore and an adulteress, and condemns her to an ill fate because he believes this will put him in Volpone's good graces. Obviously, these characters believe that the actions they have taken will definitely be justified upon the receipt of Volpone's treasures. However, surprisingly enough, I do not believe that Volpone, himself, lives with this attitude. He seems to be living only in the present, possessed with an overpowering greed that causes him to want more and more NOW. But, Volpone cannot feign sick forever. The multitude of people attempting to become his heir will soon begin to wonder why a man of alleged "terrible sickness" has not died after such a length of time. Therefore, his plan to acquire treasures cannot last forever. Once the time comes where he realizes he must feign a recovery, the men who desire to be his heir will prove to be very hostile. All of the gifts they have given, the wealth they have let out of their possession, and the extreme lengths they have undertaken will not be "justified" as they had so desired. And thus, such a time cannot be beneficial to Volpone.
ReplyDeleteI like what Kyle said about the “two innocent people ending with a gruesome fate.” I do feel sorry for them when they find out they are not the heirs. They are not only hurting themselves with their charades, but other people they are committed to. I really feel sorry for Celia.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that in Volpone the characters believe that in the end everything will be solved. However, being a reader I believe that in the end everything is going to catch up to everybody who has tricked someone, or has been tricked. Corvino, Carbaccio, and Volture believe that all of their problems will be resolved when Volpone dies. Volpone believes that he can psych everyone out, and still earn money by scheming others. When Celia and Bonario get arrested under false pretense they believe that their innocence will remain intact, and that they will get off. Sir Politic thinks that no one knows of his crimes so that he can do anything without anyone knowing, and everythings just get more entangled in a giant web of lies. The play doesn't really contridict the names/meanings of the characters because in a way each character fit the description of their names.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with KDPeters, and also disagree because not all the characters in the play are gullible,selfish and/or ignorant. Perfect examples of this would be Bonario and Celia. They were two innocent characters who just got caught in between everyone elses confusion and deciet. In a way Sir Pergrine didn't fit that description either until he thought Sir Pol was against him, and trying to shame him. But I would guess he would go into the gullible section of it all.
ReplyDeleteI believe that "end justifies the mean" is the attitude of a lot of the characters although not all. However, I do not believe the audience believes that. Volpone certainly believes it because he has no problem with deceiving others in order to get what he wants. Those who want to be his heir, Voltore, Corvino, and Corbaccio, also believe it because they are willing to do whatever Volpone and Mosca ask of them. All of these characters are willing to do whatever they have to do because in the end, all that matters is that they get what they want. However, one character, Celia, does not believe the "end justifies the mean". When she was alone with Volpone he showed her his fortunes and she still refused him; she knew it was wrong to be with him and even his fortunes could not convince her to do what he wanted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with PrecVRob. When reading the play, as a reader, you get a strong sense that the huge web of both deception and lies will be revealed in the end. Many of the characters, including Volpone, Voltore, Corvino, and Corbaccio, all believe that in the end, they will have exactly what they want. However, the entanglement of lies keeps getting bigger and bigger; it will not be too long before the deceptions are revealed and everyone finds out the truth.
ReplyDeleteIt’s clearly obvious that the characters of Volpone exist in the end will justify the means mindset. Not only does their attitude reflect this but so does the attitude of the play. I only realized this when Signor Corvino pushes his wife to sleep with Volpone and has the nerve to say it isn’t wrong or sinful in any way and if it were, he would not have allowed it. He assures his wife that what she is doing is “a pious work, mere charity, for physic, and honest polity.” Sick Freak.
ReplyDeleteThrough Signor Corvino and his ambitious behavior, we are able to see the attitude of the end will justify the means to the extreme. We are able to see this attitude in lesser gravity when Corbaccio disinherits his son. Now, his son hasn’t done anything to deserve this but again the attitude of the play is shown throughout. Mosca, he is a rather vile being that coordinates the entire scheme. He is Volpone’s faithful accomplice that for his own benefit helps Volpone. He makes many empty promises that cause the other characters to submit to his very wishes. Now, Mosca would not be very effective if these characters did not have the end will justify the means attitude. Next on the list Volpone, he doesn’t seem to really think much of what he is doing. He is selfish and just wants more. He definitely doesn’t lose any sleep at night by tricking people out of their fortunes. He is the epitome of the ends will justify the means attitude.
The only character that does not seem to have this mindset it Celia, she is completely and utterly disgusted when her husband suggests that she sleep with Volpone for “charity.” She begs and pleads to Corvino but he will hear none of it. This is the only time where I see that the attitude of the play truly contradicts the attitude of a character.
I’ll have to agree with Mireya when she says that Celia is the one character who does not believe in the end justifies the mean. I had forgotten the fact that Volpone shows Celia his treasure in hopes of convincing her to sleep with him. Any other character in the play would have quickly submitted just so that they could receive the treasure, but Celia does not give in. She holds strong to her values and refuses to be with Volpone even if it means goings against everyone.
ReplyDeleteI believe the characters in the play believe that "the end justifies the means", but I believe that the overall attitude of the play is for the audience to be cautious because the end does NOT always justify the means. The characters up to this point are manipulated by Volpone and Mosca to give Volpone expensive gifts because they will receive them back, along with the rest of Volpone's estate. Corvino not only gives his gifts to Volpone, but he cuts his son out of his own will, and then offers his wife to Volpone in order to hopefully be named the sole heir of his estate.
ReplyDeleteMosca's character believes that he will be the sole heir of Volpone's estate, so he is helping Volpone manipulate others into giving gifts to Volpone as well as securing his future by making side deals with other characters (asking Voltore for a job after Volpone is dead, for example).
I believe Mosca is a better manipulator than even Volpone, and Volpone's end will not justify his means. Either someone will kill Volpone, or he will end up a lonely old man with nothing.
I agree with S. Rodriguez in that the only character who is not trying to manipulate others into getting what she wants is Celia. She has no motives other than to do what is right, and chooses ethics over wealth or naive obedience.
ReplyDeleteI believe that "the end will justify the mean" is the attitude of the play but I do not believe that is also what the audience believes. Volpone clearly does believe that end will justify the means because of his arrogant, greedy, and self absorbed mindset during the play. He believes all this actions will be justified by everything he receives from the people attempting to be his heirs. The people who are wanting to be Volpone's heir (Voltore, Corvino, and Corbaccio) clearly believe in this idea as well. They believe everything they are doing will be justified when Volpone dies because they will be his heir.Celia, Corvino's wife, does not believe in idea of "the end justifies the mean" because she knows that there will not be any good outcome to her having sex with Volpone. Celia knows this is a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with PrecVRob and her idea of the end and how everything will catch up with everyone. The story is a big mangled web of lies and betrayal and in the end that usually catches up with people, sort of like karma. This is why I do not believe that the "end justifies the mean" because what they are doing is just gonna come back and bite them, I do not believe that the characters are going to get what they wanted or what they planned on receiving especially because Mosca has promised many people that they are going to be Volpone's heir.
ReplyDeleteMost of the characters do have the attitude that the ends justify the means. Volpone is so deceptive to see how loyal his "friends" are to him and is willing to lie to find out. The attitude of the play is that with most of the characters. They do not care how they get what the prize is in the end, as long as they get it. Celia is the only exception so far in the play.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle the characters don't realize they are making bad decisions to get Volpone's treasures, but Volpone can't hide forever and it may teach all the characters a lesson about greed.
ReplyDeleteIn Volpone i believe that the characters Voltore, Corvino, Corbaccio, and Volpone believe that all their problems will work out for them in the end. This story displays selfishness and lies. Volpone is a con artist that schemes people out of their money. He pretends to be an ill man and gets the trust of his people to earn him their valuables. Volpone lies telling them they will become his heir. Voltore, Corvino,and Corbaccio are waiting for Volpone to die so they can become his heir. None of these characters care about anyone, but them selves. Even Volpone's servant mosca lies to the men by promising they will be heirs so he may get some of their share. They are just doing what they have to do to get what they want, money. While reading this i have the total opposite view from the characters. I feel that all the lies will catch up to them and there will be a bad aftermath. Each Character's name discribes their personality and the way a reader would see them in this story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Julie Hutson, most of the characters are living for today and not for tommarrow. They only care about money and focusing on how to get it. In their lies will haunt them. Celia is the only character that has a good heart.
ReplyDeleteThe end does justify the mean in Volpone through many characters. Eventually the characters in the play, specifically Corbaccio, Voltore, and Corvino will realize that Volpone isn't actually deathly ill, and his scheme will be clear to everyone. Celia will also see that her husband, Corvino, is a greedy and selfish individual who will go above the optimum to get Volpone's money, even if it means committing immoral acts such as prostituting his own wife to Volpone. All of the characters in this play are after something they want, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get that. For Volpone and the three heirs, and probably Mosca also, is wealth. For Sir & Lady Politic, it is their reputation and "wordly knowledge". There are consequences to both of these situations in which the characters are fully aware of. However, Volpone himself isn't because he only lives in the present without being aware of the future, or the consequences of his scheme. As a reader I think that the audience should be aware of this in the play because it is so obvious, and that in a way, each character's situation contradicts itself.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone thinks that their going to come out smelling like a rose. I think the means will be jusitified, just not in the way the characters all think. I think everyone is going to be busted & the trurh will prevail in the end. I beleive that is probably what the audience beleives as well. I think that it will only take one of the accused squealling to save their own necks that will cause everyone else's demise.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle and also with PrecVRob. I think that most everyone agrees that the story is sad for most part. But these characters have to be somewhat idiots or else this would just be a drama and not a "dark comedy". It is human nature to feel sorry for some of these characters even if we don't really care for them.
ReplyDeleteI believe the attitude of the play is that the ends justify the means. However, I don't think the audience is supposed to have that point of view because the whole point of the story is to show how bad that theory is. I think all but Celia have this point of view. Celia obviously does not think that the means (sleeping with Volpone) are justified by the end (possibly getting his fortune), which is why she is so adamantly against the idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with PrecVRob in what she says about the end of everything. I also think that everything will catch up with all the characters, sort of like karma; what goes around will come around. When everything is revealed in the end, I think that each character will get the correct punishment. I actually didn’t understand the whole deal with Sir Politic, but after reading what PrecVRob wrote, it makes more sense and do agree with her about that as well. The names of the characters do fit their personality in the play.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude is the end will justify the means. The audience didn't get that thought I don't think. Volpone had the end results in his mind, and he played is actions to get those end results. I think the audience gets and ironic view on the whole story. They portray a bad concept. I also believe everybody has an end result in their minds, and some achieve it perfectly and some characters do not. Celia does not believe in the justifying the means for Volpone. I don't think that was what she wanted to do. The whole thing about the characters is that most of them are ironic. Mossca he is like a fly and he gets the end results he wants.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat agree with Donny, in that the ends will be justified, but sometimes not what the Characters want. I also agree with Hanh Do she says it perfectly what I was trying to say.
ReplyDeleteIn Volpone mostly all characters believe that the end will justify the means. Volpone is the one who believes it the most, because he has no problem tricking innocent people in order to get what he wants. Voltore, Corvino, and Corbaccio are the ones that are looking to be Volpones’ heir, they also believe that the end will justify the means because they will do whatever Volpone and Mosca ask them to do. Each character will do whatever it takes to get what they want because in the end all that matters is what they want. Celia is about the only one that doesn’t believe that the end will justify the means because when her husband Corvino tells her she has to be with Volpone, she knew it was wrong and did not want to be with him no matter how rich Volpone is.
ReplyDeleteI believe that “the end will justify the means” is definitely the attitude of the play. I believe that the characters who share the desires to become Volpone’s heir are the ones who believe that “the end will justify the means.” They are very quick to give up their own precious belongings, such as Corvino’s wife or Corbaccio’s son, in order to gain more valuable things in the end. As for the audience I don’t know whether or not they should think this true. They are getting an insight to all the things that are happening therefore, I believe that this serves as a theme that the audience should learn from.
ReplyDeleteI think that Volpone is a string believer in "the end justifies the means". All through the play, it is obvious that he doesn't care what happens to who. He is selfish and this is evident. Seeing as how I am an audience member, I see that some of the characters believe in this concept. Corbaccio, Voltore, and Corvino are also very selfish. They are only worried about themselves. Celia is probably the only character that doesn't think this way. She is the only one that can see clearly through all this mess.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Donny. I think that everyone will be found out. Destruction always follows pride. Everyone is thinking of themselves too much to really consider a good plan. Also, truth prevails! Maybe not though...
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that the play as well as the characters are based on the principle of "the end will justify the means". This is clear in almost all characters of the play particularly Volpone, Mosca, and the three hope-to-be heirs. First off, Volpone believes that throughout all of his scheming and manipulation, that it will all be okay in the end and that each "heir" will perhaps learn some kind of lesson from him in the end. Mosca also shares this same kind of ideology with Volpone because he's Volpone's right hand man and does whatever Volpone says to do and causes controversy throughout the play. The three heirs however believe they will be gaining something in the end which serves as their justification for doing all of the ridiculous tasks that Volpone demands. The names of the charcacters in the play can definitely signify the personalities of each character. For example, Volpone means "fox" which he obviously symbolizes throughout the play due to his scheming and planning controversy behind everyone's back. As far as the audience, I do not believe they catch on to the "end will justify the means" concept until the end of the play.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary_Tran in respect to the fact that Celia was also a character that did NOT believe that the "end will justify the means". Volpone tried and tried to woo Celia with his fortune and attempted flirtations but Celia knew that being with Volpone was morally wrong in the end, not okay.
ReplyDeleteThe end justifying the means is a very key component of this play, but more in a satirical way. The reader is supposed to see how all these people are acting, and realize that humanity trumps all "ends".
ReplyDeleteFor instance, Masca decides to let Lady Pol Would-Be believe that Celia is really the woman she should be mad at. Lady Pol then verbally berates Celia for no good reason, just because Masca knew it would help his side of the case.
Toying with emotions? Being a pathalogical liar? Pitting people against each other? That is never justifiable.
This ideal is very present in the characters throughout the play. Each "contestant" for Volpone's fortune lives by this. Corbaccio takes his own son off his will. Corvino tries to prostitute his wife for heaven's sake! It's like the characters have no morals. They act on impulse and their own personal wealth/gain and don't ever think about their actions as being immoral, or wrong. Volpone himself is an example of this ideal as well. His career as a trickster and cheat have him in a vicious circle spiraling down to nowhere. His cons get him whatever he wants, no matter what the cost. The play does sometimes contradict these desires, though. The whole point of the characters trying to gain Volpone's wealth is to become rich. Yet, ironically, they spend the whole time trying to do this, and at the end, none of them end up with any of it. They've just been made to look like fools.
ReplyDeleteI believe nothe end will not justify their means, because these people are pure fools. They seem to be just greedy and when you are one of the deadly sins like greed then in the end you will get whats coming to you. I think everything that will happen to them in the end they will deserve it. for example volpone should get what he deserve and the guy who tried to sell his wife should get whatever he deserves. The end will not justify their twisted reasons.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leigh's statement. Throughout the play so far Volpone displayed a very selfish and self-centered characteristic. He always thinks for himself, and tries to get himself out of trouble and he will no whatever it takes to cover up his scheme, even if it is by manipulative means. Celia and Bonario are the only characters in the play who are not "blinded" by either their greed or their ego. They are the characters who are very clear of the situation around them.
ReplyDeleteI think that the characters in Volpone think the end will justify the means, because they are all hoping for the best. They all want to come out on top; it’s very understandable human quality or trait. And that is what the play is based on. Now the audience will take sides depending on personal experience or if the audience has read enough plays like this one to make their own prediction on how the play will end and how it will get there. For example, Volpone thinks that if he can manipulate his “friends” then he will become the most powerful man in Venice. And cares for no one else. Mosca is somewhat at a disadvantage, because of his social rank. He most follow Volpone with is evil deeds and help him manipulate the others or Volpone will look for another accomplice. But can easily turn the table and tell Volpone to pay him for his services, justifying for all his troubles. As for the “Three Stooges” Corvino, Voltore and Corbaccio all think that the will be the heir of Volpone’s fortune if they can give all of the earthly values to Volpone to create a slight advantage over the other two.
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with Mary Tran’s statement, because Celia tends to stay away from situations that can land you in jail and ruin your reputation in the process. Therefore, Celia knows that the end justifies the means is a foolish thing that can get you in trouble. Something that the men (expect Bonario) realize after the act has been committed.
ReplyDeleteKyle Kyle Kyle. I totally agree with Kyle. (By the way you should have been in the Honor's class that way our comments wouldn't look so bad compared to yours:)) I didn't really think of Volpone the way you characterized him. But it does make sense. Him living in the present and only thinking on how he will become richer in that certain moment doesn’t qualify him on having the attitude of “the end justifying the means.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Mireya stated regarding the attitude of Celia. She certainly does not seem to live by this same attitude as many other characters of the play. One would think that with a husband who treats her so horridly, she would do anything to rid herself of her misfortune. Though Volpone may be a man full of greed, deception, and other unhonorable attributes, he does possess a great amount of wealth. He could, indeed, give Celia a life the would prove much more beneficial in her regard. However, she chooses to remain faithful to her husband, keep her virtues intact, and continue living in such dangerous conditions. She is a very innocent character who believes in true honor and value. Characteristics that prove lacking in most every other character of the play.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the people that say that Celia does not have the same attitude as the rest of the characters. She makes a conscious choice not to lower herself to their level.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle when he says Celia is a very innocent character, one who believes in true honor and value. All the other characters in the play do indeed lack these characteristics. I find it ironic that the one person in the play who is virtuous and true is a woman. We often see in other literature women getting the bad rap most of the time. I also find Jose's comment interesting. That Celia is one to realize the end doesn't justify the means, a thing that men realize after they've already acted. Maybe women are just more practical and think things out more logically? Is it just coincidence? I've come to realize this even in my time, that boys usually tend to act on impulse and girls tend to think things through and look at all aspects of the equation.
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