The role of wealth is crucial in The Pot of Gold. The title of the play itself is both literal and figurative. Euclio, an old miser, hoards his pot of gold, constantly afraid that one day it will be stolen. Euclio is so covetous of his miser's hoard that it becomes an obsession, distorting his mind to such an extent that he becomes intensely paranoid. He regularly starts moving the pot of gold around...
The role of wealth is crucial in The Pot of Gold. The title of the play itself is both literal and figurative. Euclio, an old miser, hoards his pot of gold, constantly afraid that one day it will be stolen. Euclio is so covetous of his miser's hoard that it becomes an obsession, distorting his mind to such an extent that he becomes intensely paranoid. He regularly starts moving the pot of gold around and hiding it in different places in an increasingly desperate attempt not to lose it. However, despite his best efforts, it is eventually stolen; Strobilus, Lyconides' servant, is the one who makes off with it.
Phaedra, Euclio's daughter, like the titular pot of gold, also has great monetary value, indicating the economic worth placed upon marriageable young women at the time. Essentially, Phaedra is regarded as a piece of property to be bought and sold as part of a business transaction. However, in time, Euclio recovers his stolen pot of gold. And then he realizes that his daughter is valuable in herself, worth infinitely more than his miser's hoard. We see this when Euclio gives the pot of gold to Lyconides on his betrothal to Phaedra by way of a dowry.
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