Volpone, assisted by his servant Mosca, skilfully preys on his acquaintances to increase his already vast fortune. When he hears that one of his dupes has a beautiful wife, Celia, he devises a plot to have her brought to him. At Volpone's house, Celia resists and is rescued. In Court, however, Volpone is declared innocent. Having escaped punishment, Volpone cannot resist one further plot to taunt those he has tricked - a plot that eventually brings him to justice.