Insight into a Parasite

The soliloquy delivered by Mosca in Act III scene 1 is a significant scene of the play because it is a direct insight into a character who the audience previously doesn’t know much about besides that he uses his cleverness and manipulation to benefit his master.  Mosca is an example of the “parasite” stock character, and even refers to himself as a parasite throughout this soliloquy.  In the soliloquy, Mosca reveals his increasing independence from Volpone by saying, “I fear I shall begin to grow in love/ With my dear self and my most prosperous parts…”  Mosca is growing increasingly narcissistic and he praises himself, calling himself the truest of parasites because he of his innate ability to deceive and swiftly adapt to situations.  Mosca views the role of being a parasite as a superior role in society, saying “…Almost/ All the wise world is little else in nature/ But parasites or subparasites.”  While he is nearly completely dependent on Volpone for his survival, ironically Volpone is also dependent on Mosca, who heavily aids him in his schemes.  Mosca knows that Volpone is dependent on him in carrying out his hoax, therefore he is becoming more confident in his parasitism and develops a more inflated self-worth.