PL v Volpone Context

Question 1

Montaigne ‘On Cannibals’ (1580)

Answer 1

‘Avarice, envy…never heard of’ - influenced Jonson when writing Volpone?

Question 2

Jonson’s religious views

Answer 2

• Father was a protestant
• Despite this, Jonson converted to Catholicism between 1598-1610
• In 1604 a draft of his play ‘Sejanus’ was banned for ‘popery’
• 1605 Catholic gunpowder plot to blow up King James I for not being Catholic enough
• In 1606 Jonson was accused of recusancy, and allowing his fame as a Catholic to ‘seduce’ citizens to the cause
• Jonson appears to mock the extreme puritan goodness of Bonario and Celia

Question 3

Milton’s religious views

Answer 3

• Reformed Protestant

- However, accepted only a part of the Calvinist creed

Question 4

When was ‘Volpone’ written and first performed?

Answer 4

1606.

Question 5

When was ‘Paradise Lost’ written?

Answer 5

Paradise Lost written between 1656-1674

Question 6

How did Milton view the divine power of the Monarchy?

Answer 6

1642-1651 English Civil War
1. Royalists (cavaliers) in favour of divine power of monarchy
2. versus Parliamentarians (roundheads) led by Cromwell who wanted a republic supported by Milton
1648 King Charles I beheaded
1658 Cromwell dies
1660 restoration of King Charles II - big disappointment to Parliamentarian sympathiser Milton