In Mzansi’s realm, where Rand holds sway supreme,
From Cape to Limpopo’s lush domain,
The call of wealth, a tantalising dream,
Resounds through city streets and mining plain.
Shall fleeting gold our souls lure and entice?
Or shall we seek a path of balanced measure?
True wisdom counsels prudence as our price,
Lest Rand’s allure should rob our spirit’s treasure.
Though Sandton’s towers beckon us to try,
True wealth resides not in mere fiscal might.
A heart content needs not excess to fly,
But thrives in Ubuntu’s warm, embracing light.
Not wealth or stuff can break our mortal chains;
True freedom blooms where love and balance reign.
This sonnet, inspired by the timeless musings of the Bard of Avon, illuminates the complex relationship humanity has with money. Shakespeare himself often peppered his works with financial wisdom, understanding that money, while a necessary player in the theatre of life, should never overtake the essence of human experience.
Here are some of the greats…
“Timon of Athens”
One of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays, “Timon of Athens,” is a cautionary tale about wealth, generosity, and ingratitude. Timon, a wealthy Athenian, lavishes his fortune on parasitic friends. When his wealth evaporates, so does their loyalty, and Timon is left destitute and embittered. The play speaks to the dangers of tying one’s identity too closely to wealth and the fickle nature of friends won by money.
“The Merchant of Venice”
This play is rich with monetary themes, most famously in the storyline involving Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, and Antonio, the titular merchant. The bond between them, which involves a pound of Antonio’s flesh as collateral for a loan, reflects the peril of debt and the complexities of business ethics. Through the characters’ dealings, Shakespeare contemplates the value of mercy over material wealth, as well as the cost of human life against monetary debt.
“Hamlet”
In “Hamlet,” Polonius gives his son Laertes a litany of advice, including the oft-quoted financial counsel: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend.” This nugget of wisdom warns of the personal and financial perils of mixing money with relationships.
“King Lear”
In “King Lear,” we see a tragedy unfold around wealth, power, and family. Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom based on his daughters’ professions of love speaks to the folly of equating monetary gain with genuine affection and loyalty. The play ultimately reveals the emptiness of wealth without the foundation of true human bonds.
We open our sonnet above by recognising money’s powerful role, acknowledging its potential to captivate both the youth in their naivety and the elders in their reflection. Yet, it challenges us to question its sovereignty, urging balance.
The third quatrain cautions against the illusion that happiness is synonymous with wealth. True contentment is not found in the abundance of possessions but rather in the intangible richness of love and connection.
Echoing Polonius’s advice to Laertes in “Hamlet,” the couplet serves as a moral compass, guiding us towards inner peace and self-reliance rather than the uncertainty of debt and dependence. It’s a call to value our internal wealth over external riches.
In contemporary terms, this poetic reflection serves as a reminder that while financial security is important, it is but one facet of a fulfilling life. Our financial pursuits should not consume us to the point of overshadowing the other aspects of our existence – relationships, passions, and inner peace. The greatest wealth we can accumulate is the richness of a well-lived life, balanced in means and rich in purpose.
