Greed Theme Essay
Over the decades, humanity has changed a substantial amount on several different aspects. Although many things have changed, the recurring themes of human greed and betrayal have both stayed persistent. By examining several stories this essay aims to critically assess the underlying theme of greed, specifically in the form of greed for personal rank and reputation, greed for wealth, greed over religion for worldly goods, and final greed and betrayal of loyalty for love. In this essay I will be looking at the underlying theme of greed by articulating four readings from World Literature and Thought and Classics of Western Thought, and finally by tying in the past examples to a modern day examples where applicable.
Greed and betrayal can be observed …show more content…
The two whom he had loved the most and had left him for dead only returned back to his side when they could both benefit from it. For Li Wa, the scholar had begun to renounce a higher title due to his intelligence and high scoring of examinations which benefited her greatly as she got a wealthy high ranked husband who could provide for her as she wished and was titled with the title of Lady Ch’ien (Hsing-chien, page 260). When the father was called to come and see his son the father only took him back when he saw his title, which was acceptable for the family name when he then took the son that he once left for dead before into his arms and claimed “Now we’re father and son, just as it was before” (Hsing-chien, 259). In this story it can be observed that the young scholar, who represents a caring and bestowing character gave all to those whom he loved who used him for their greater good and the good of their names.
Greed in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, several of the characters can be observed as greedy, specifically in the aspects of corruption for personal gain. Canterbury Tales can also be related to greed of humanity in our modern day world. When critically assessing the characters staying in the Tabard Inn they can almost be seen metaphorically to represent the larger population of the earth and the different sources of greed that so commonly affect our planet’s
Greed and betrayal can be observed …show more content…
The two whom he had loved the most and had left him for dead only returned back to his side when they could both benefit from it. For Li Wa, the scholar had begun to renounce a higher title due to his intelligence and high scoring of examinations which benefited her greatly as she got a wealthy high ranked husband who could provide for her as she wished and was titled with the title of Lady Ch’ien (Hsing-chien, page 260). When the father was called to come and see his son the father only took him back when he saw his title, which was acceptable for the family name when he then took the son that he once left for dead before into his arms and claimed “Now we’re father and son, just as it was before” (Hsing-chien, 259). In this story it can be observed that the young scholar, who represents a caring and bestowing character gave all to those whom he loved who used him for their greater good and the good of their names.
Greed in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, several of the characters can be observed as greedy, specifically in the aspects of corruption for personal gain. Canterbury Tales can also be related to greed of humanity in our modern day world. When critically assessing the characters staying in the Tabard Inn they can almost be seen metaphorically to represent the larger population of the earth and the different sources of greed that so commonly affect our planet’s