Love is one of the most powerful words known to man. Greed is one of the biggest sins known to man. These two words can make someone who they really are and bring out their true personalitys. The book " The Merchant Of Venice " by Shakespear is all about that. The difference between Love and Greed, how they are connetcted, and what it can do to people. And That is exactly what I am going to talk about.
Love and Greed are two very different things. They are almost polar opposites. One represents happiness and the other one represents greed. In this book one of the main characters Shylock is the face of greed he was so greedy that he didnt even care how he looks as long as he got what he wants. For example "if every ducat in your six thousand ducats had six parts and every part were a ducat, I would not take the money. I want my bond!"pg. 159. What was happening in that scene was they were in the court room andShylock wouldnt take the money from Bassanio even though he had doubled the amount that is owed because all that he wanted was a pound of Antonios flesh. And Antonio the other main character is the face of love. No matter what happened to Antonio he just accepted it and did not complain at all. For example "very little. Ihave braced my self and i'm well prepared." this is an example of how he has never complained even when shylock so desperatly wanted a peice of his very flesh.
Even though Love and Greed are opposites they can still be connected, Because there is no love without greed just like there is no super hero with no super villian. it can also be connected because with love you love that person or thing so much that you dont want to let go and with greed you love that thing so much that you dont want to let go. For example "In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair, fairer than the word, Of wondrous virtues." This is what Bassanio said to Antonio when he was telling him why he needs the money. And it shows that love and greed are connected because bassanio loves that girl and he loves that girl so much that he is willing to do anything to at least get a chance to get with her which he ended up doing. Another example is "An honest exceeding poor man." this also proves that love and greed are connected because it shows that he loves exceeding but he hates being poor so he would do anything which is greedy to become rich.
Love and Greed have a tremendos effect on how people precieve of you. for example "This is not an answer, you callous man, to make excuses for your cruelty!(Bassanio) I am not obliged to please you with my answers!(Shylock)" This shows the effect that greed has on people because Shylock is about as greedy as they get. He will litterally jump in front of a train if it ment getting what he wants. And that persona makes him seem old and cruel and now no one really likes him anymore because of that. An example of how love affects you is " You know all my wealth is tied up in cargoes. Ihavent the ready cash, or things to sell, to raise the money now. so go and see what my credit is good for in venice. " this shows that Antonio is a very kind and loving in person because even though he was very depressed at that time he still gave plenty of money to his friend Bassanio. And because of his kind and loving nature he ended up haveing a happy life after it all he dosent have that much money but that dosent bother him by his thankfullness and happiness.
" The Merchant of Venice " book is all about love and greed and how greed never wins. And how it can affect the way that people look at you and how it is different yet similar, and this book also goes on about how if you choose Love how you will be treated and how if you choose Greed how you will be treated. and pretty much its saying what goes around comes around. But also Love is the passageway to happiness and with Greed you will never succeed. And we should always know the burden that greed can have on you and the praise that love can have on you.