A number of concepts and ideas provide the themes and motifs of the play:
love
fate / destiny
melancholy (want-wit sadness) mercy
marriage greed / wealth revenge
law & society / justice class system
jealousy
happiness vs. sadness women’s roles in society
As noted above (see final comments on plot), the two contrary states ofhappiness and sadness, may provide the central theme of the play. Having a certain goal, attempting to achieve a certain outcome in one’s life, is necessary to achieving happiness in a world that is otherwise filled with vice andcorruption.