Volphones reverential prayer to his heaps of gold launches the sharpest; funniest play about money and morals in the 17th century - a play still wickedly relevant on the same topics four centuries later. Ben Jonsons comedy depicts selfishness thinly veiled by sanctimonious speeches; lust and possessiveness poorly disguised as love and marriage; and cynical legalism passing itself off as pure justice; alongside snobbery; class warfare and greed. The wily protagonists keep a dozen conventional plots spinning in the minds of their dupes; and when their amazing juggling act finally unravels; there are yet more twists - and an even deeper cynicisim - to the story. The play is partly a beast-fable: the wily fox; Volpone; plays dead to lure flesh-eating birds that he can then consume. But the beasts are the human race; and polite society the biggest; greediest scam of them all.This student edition contains a lengthy Introduction with background on the author; date and sources; critical interpretation and stage history.Robert N. Watson is Distinguished Professor of English at UCLA. His publications include Critical Essays on Ben Jonson (as editor) and Ben Jonsons Parodic Strategy. He also edited the New Mermaids edition of Every Man in His Humour.
#3191171 in eBooks 2014-03-24 2014-03-24File Name: B00KIHO4IO
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Food for thoughtBy Michael JensenMakes you pause and think - exactly what a good book should do; even if you end up disagreeing with the message. Glad I read it.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A must-read for parents; couples; educators; counselors; and anybody whose life has been touched by pornBy lcstromIf you; your relationship; or someone you care about is being affected by porn; read His Porn; Her Pain. Couples who struggle with one partnerrsquo;s porn use will find this book offers valuable new insights; and fosters deeper; open communication and understanding. Parents will appreciate Dr. Marty Kleinrsquo;s frank; honest advice on talking with kids about pornography which; he points out; they are likely to view on somebodyrsquo;s cell phone.With Kleinrsquo;s decades-long experience as a marriage and family therapist and internationally acclaimed sex educator; he skillfully delivers sound guidance coupled with clever; humorous wit; research; case studies and historical perspective. A must-read book for individuals; couples; and parents; I highly recommend it - especially to those who work in human services fields.7 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Another grand slam from author of Americas War on SexBy David J. LeyDr. Klein does it again. His book Americas War on Sex revealed the depths of our countrys ambivalence towards sex and those who arent ashamed enough of liking sex. Now; he turns his brilliant insight onto the modern panic around pornography. His book is an excellent resource for both therapists and lay people. It dispels the fear and panic; but acknowledges the pain in those who are struggling with pornography; in their life or relationships. But; because it takes a grounded approach that doesnt paint porn as inherently bad or good; there will always be those who hate it. Too bad; we all have a lot to learn from Dr. Klein.
