Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone
This study presents an analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone (16606) using game theory. It argues that this kind of analysis would yield new readings of the play. While the traditional criticism of the play focused on issues of morality and greed, an analysis inspired by game theory will shed light on i...
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| Language: | Arabic |
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College of Arts / University of Thi Qar
2025-03-01
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| Series: | مجلة اداب ذي قار |
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| Online Access: | http://mail.jart.utq.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/738 |
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| author | Samir Talib Dawood |
| author_facet | Samir Talib Dawood |
| author_sort | Samir Talib Dawood |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This study presents an analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone (16606) using game theory. It argues that this kind of analysis would yield new readings of the play. While the traditional criticism of the play focused on issues of morality and greed, an analysis inspired by game theory will shed light on issues of rationality (or the lack thereof) of characters’ actions. Instead of looking at characters in terms of tricksters and dupes, it will treat characters as players of strategic games who are trying to maximise their payoffs and minimise their costs. Besides, game theory can also help explain the process of theatrical communication in a new light. Moreover, by highlighting zero-sum games and the absence of equilibria in the interactions among characters, the analysis can account for the dark, almost tragic nature of the play.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e464b0e58d31426cbf83ef7f1fc1c50f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-6584 2709-796X |
| language | Arabic |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | College of Arts / University of Thi Qar |
| record_format | Article |
| series | مجلة اداب ذي قار |
| spelling | doaj-art-e464b0e58d31426cbf83ef7f1fc1c50f2025-08-20T01:50:42ZaraCollege of Arts / University of Thi Qarمجلة اداب ذي قار2073-65842709-796X2025-03-0114910.32792/tqartj.v1i049.738Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s VolponeSamir Talib Dawood0University of Basrah This study presents an analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone (16606) using game theory. It argues that this kind of analysis would yield new readings of the play. While the traditional criticism of the play focused on issues of morality and greed, an analysis inspired by game theory will shed light on issues of rationality (or the lack thereof) of characters’ actions. Instead of looking at characters in terms of tricksters and dupes, it will treat characters as players of strategic games who are trying to maximise their payoffs and minimise their costs. Besides, game theory can also help explain the process of theatrical communication in a new light. Moreover, by highlighting zero-sum games and the absence of equilibria in the interactions among characters, the analysis can account for the dark, almost tragic nature of the play. http://mail.jart.utq.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/738Game Theory, Volpone, Ben Jonson, Theatrical Communication |
| spellingShingle | Samir Talib Dawood Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone مجلة اداب ذي قار Game Theory, Volpone, Ben Jonson, Theatrical Communication |
| title | Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone |
| title_full | Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone |
| title_fullStr | Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone |
| title_short | Games of Strategy on the Renaissance Stage: A Game Theory Analysis of Ben Jonson’s Volpone |
| title_sort | games of strategy on the renaissance stage a game theory analysis of ben jonson s volpone |
| topic | Game Theory, Volpone, Ben Jonson, Theatrical Communication |
| url | http://mail.jart.utq.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/738 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT samirtalibdawood gamesofstrategyontherenaissancestageagametheoryanalysisofbenjonsonsvolpone |