Volpone
By Ben Jonson
Cover: The Piazza San Marco towards the Basilica (c. 1760-65), oil on canvas by Francesco Guardi (1712-1793) · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (artist died 1793)
The Venetian magnifico Volpone pretends to be dying so that the greedy Voltore, Corbaccio and Corvino will compete with gifts to be named his heir, while his servant Mosca arranges every deception. The two grow so clever that they trap themselves, and a court scene finally exposes them.
Summary written with Claude Sonnet 5.5.