what do you think "How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." means?

[[deleted user]]

please help!

[Mohammad]

it means that a good deed in a world full of evil will only appear as weak for it is like the light of a little candle

[Lesley]

If a candle is the only light in the darkness, it seems pretty bright.

[Coralyn]

That even one small act of kindness or goodness can shed its light far and deep in life

[Rebecca]

I may be wrong, but to me, it appears to be saying something like this(paraphrased!) 'Wow, look how far the light that just a little candle can make...even one little good thing you do, can have a big impact in this bad world we live in.'

It also reminds me of the Bible verse in Matthew 5:15-16 'Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds...'

[Felgona]

I think it probably means a good deed, however small, goes a long way just as the light from a candle, however dim, seems so bright in darkness.

[Grateful]

In my opinion it means that even one little light (good thing) has a great effect on the darkness(badness) surrounded by it for example if you where in a dark room with a single candle burning what would be your first impression to me it would be the candle not the darkness

[Jacqueline]

Diana wrote: "I think it probably means a good deed, however small, goes a long way just as the light from a candle, however dim, seems so bright in darkness."

That's exactly what it means. Single candles or single flames are used frequently to reference good deeds. The dark has always symbolized evil (We fear what we can't see) and a single candle not only banishes the dark for the candle holder, but also for those around him.

In addition, that candle seems to shine brighter in the darkness than when surrounded by the light of day. A good deed would stand out more amongst evil than it would among other good deeds.

Shakespeare's audiences would have been very familiar with the biblical reference Rebecca pointed to and with living in a candlelit world.

[bipasha]

The saying "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world" in the context of the novel refers to the hope of happiness that Portia had on return to Belmont. This was after she had helped Antonio in getting justice against shylock. She enjoyed having done a good deed and appreciated everything she saw or heard- the moon, the candle and the music.

The saying can be used in today's world to enlighten people on the value of helping those who are in need. The world is surrounded by people experiencing predicaments and storms brought on by life. Their suffering takes away their happiness and any hope that they have for making a decent living. On the other side there are people who are endowed with the capability of transforming and having an impact on such lives. People in such positions should be compassionate enough to bring back hope to such a suffering lot.

A little candle can be used to depict a little help. There are situations where no help is a little help. There are people who are on the verge of loosing everything including their lives. To such people in desperation, any help will do for them. The argument here is that one should support others with what he/she has. A good deed does not need a person to be endowed with or have a special ability; it just needs a willing heart. Portia's enjoyment came from the feeling of satisfaction which was brought by what she had done. On a similar note, there is a satisfaction which stems from doing good to others.

The saying also mentions a ‘naughty world.' There are people out to make a living from other people's misery for example the shylock in the Shakespearean context. The generalization in the term ‘naughty world' shows that there is more bad than good in the world. This is where a good deed comes in to save the lives of the victimized in the society.

NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE!

[Iris]

I think it means no matter how bad the world gets a little bit of good goes a long way. Like how a small candle can light up a dark room to a pretty good extent.

[Shelagh]

My feeling is 4 !

[Abi]

Ruth.. Don't be so rude... Shakespeare can be interpreted in many ways.
Just don't overthink it... A small influence can have a broad effect...
And can I just add, Shakespeare mainly wrote plays... They're meant to be watched, not read. It really helps....

[Shelagh]

I have to admit that Abi is correct as Shakespeares plays are very often interpreted in very different ways.Perhaps this is why so many of us continue to try to understand any deeper meaning.
As i said message 4 is my first choice followed by 6

[Glenys]

Abi you are being so unfair to Ruth. Mohammad has got the meaning of this speech completely wrong and Ruth is quite right to call him on it. This is not a matter of interpretation, it is a matter of fact. A good deed lights up the world like a candle lights the darkness. That is what Shakespeare meant and there is no argument about it.

[Shelagh]

I think that it is quite marvellous that a speech from this play about a candle light in the dark and its impact can even now be of great importance to so many people who read this Shakespeare play x