The three plays collected in this volume depict the faults, errors and foibles of ordinary people with exhuberant humour, savage satire and acute observations. Volponeportrays a rich Venetian who pretends to be dying so that his despised acquaintances will flock to his bedside with extravagant gifts in hope of an inheritance. The Alchemistalso deals with greed and gullibility, as a rascally trio of confidence tricksters, claiming to have the legendary Philosopher's stone, fool a series of victims who are hoping to make some easy money. And in a wonderfully energetic portrait of Jacobean life, Bartholomew Fairshows a diverse group of Londoners sampling the delights and temptations of the Fair - and the traders, prostitutes and cutpurses who set out to exploit them.In his introduction, Michael Jamieson discusses Jonson's colourful life and literary career, and the moral themes of his plays. This edition also includes a bibliography, notes and a preliminary preface to each play.