Aug 14, 2026
On this episode, host Rishi Nagar explores Ben Jonson’s classic satire Volpone and the timeless warning at the heart of the play: what happens when the pursuit of wealth becomes more important than morality?
Written more than 400 years ago, Volpone uses deception, ambition and dark humour to expose how greed can make people sacrifice their dignity, relationships and even their principles. The play’s characters compete for a fortune, but its message reaches far beyond the world of 17th-century Venice. It asks us to consider whether people remain honest when money, power and personal gain are at stake.
Rishi Nagar reflects on why Volpone continues to resonate today—and the uncomfortable question it leaves behind: If great wealth came at the cost of our values, how much would we be willing to sacrifice?