ass than Mosca, he imitates the other man in terms of the tradition of the fool which Mosca represents. Mosca is a fool because this enables him to live, and to live well. Volpone is a gentleman but plays the fool to those he is fleecing, and in so doing he also manages to live well. Mosca expresses his own view of the role of the fool: "Fools, they are the only nation,/ Worth men's envy or admiration" (I.ii. 66-67).
So long as Volpone plays the fool well and maintains the illusions he creates, he is able to use the greed of others to his advantage and to use the law as a screen. When he goes too far, though, the law does respond. This comes when the relationship between Volpone and Mosca deteriorates as Volpone is betrayed by Mosca and determines to get his revenge at all costs. There is an attempt on Mosca's part to reverse their positions, to make himself the master and Volpone the fly. Both would then continue in their greedy ways, but Volpone will not accept this change in social level. While the court passes sentence, in truth the two cons
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