• Definition: The Unities are classical rules of drama derived from Aristotle’s Poetics. They consist of the unities of time, place, and action.
• Unity of Time: A play should take place within one day.
• Unity of Place: A play should occur in a single location.
• Unity of Action: A play should have a single plot with few or no subplots.
• Jonson’s Approach: Jonson claims to observe these unities in his play Volpone. However, he also introduces a sub-plot and uses his creative license, showing some deviation from these rules.
• Influence: Jonson was influenced by classical writers of comedy such as Aristophanes, Plautus, and Terence, who also observed or adapted these unities in their works.