The city of Venice during the Renaissance was the wealthiest city in Europe, but it was also a city of high immorality and decadence. Venice and its citizens were condemned as being materialistic and publicly extravagant. Condemned for being cynical, atheistic pragmatics in spiritual matters, and for having a government by oligarchy, Venice was ruled by an aristocracy that was proud, mean, lazy and vindictive. The justice system was an arbitrary and secretive political machine that often hid the nasty secrets of the private sexual tyranny of the upper class.

These characteristics of Venice provided Jonson with the perfect backdrop to Volpone. The main character, Volpone, is himself the ideal corrupt Venetian, surrounding himself with material goods and delighting in perverse sexual activities. The proud and l azy Volpone finds his entertainment in his dwarf, eunuch and hermaphrodite, who put on plays and sing songs for his amusement. They are also in a sense his family.

Another example of why Venice is a great setting for the play occurs when Celia is locked up by her jealous husband; the Venetians were very jealous people who would lock their wives and daughters away to protect them. Of course the husband's Venetian immorality shines through later on when he prostitutes Celia in order to become Volpone's heir.

Corrupt, abnormal and immoral, Venice is the perfect setting for Jonson's Volpone.