Desire of having is the sin of covetousness

Desire of having is the sin of covetousness

In the works of William Shakespeare, the theme of desire and covetousness is a recurring motif that is explored in various ways. One of the most famous quotes related to this theme is "Desire of having is the sin of covetousness," which can be found in his play "The Merchant of Venice."

In this play, the character of Shylock embodies the sin of covetousness through his relentless desire for wealth and revenge. Shylock's desire for material possessions and his obsession with money ultimately lead to his downfall, as he becomes consumed by his own greed and loses sight of his humanity. His desire for revenge against Antonio, who has insulted and mistreated him, drives him to demand a pound of flesh as payment for a debt. This desire for vengeance ultimately leads to his own destruction, as he is outwitted by Portia in the courtroom scene and forced to forfeit his wealth and convert to Christianity.

Shakespeare uses the character of Shylock to explore the destructive nature of covetousness and the consequences of allowing desire to consume one's soul. Shylock's downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of tempering one's desires with reason and compassion.