Volpone as a renaissance character?

Volpone was actually written in the form of a satire. Jonson focuses on the decay of humanity, which is seen as a reation to to the Renaissance ideas of rebirth and the freedom of thought. He illustrated Venetian society as lacking in virtue and overrun by vice, and the desire of humans to defeat others as a means to better themselves. His character's behaviors were calculated strategies driven by individual desires. Through this work, Jonson hoped to expose the greed and vice of Venetian society with the use of humor and to educate his audience by exposing the errors of city folk.