Final answer:
The phrase "Things base and vile, holding no quantity" is employed in literature to underscore the trivial nature of material objects and moral degradation. It resonates with the vanitas theme from art history and is used in contexts that question life's purpose and critique societal and hereditary evils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Things base and vile, holding no quantity" suggests a theme of worthlessness or insignificance of certain objects or elements, particularly those that lack moral substance or value. Literary pieces often convey moral messages or ethical concerns through metaphorical language, emphasizing the transient nature of material objects compared to eternal virtues or the state of the soul.
The context of this phrase can amplify its meaning, whether applied to literature that scrutinizes societal norms, criticizes moral corruption, or contemplates existential questions about human life, morality, and mortality.
Works that explore these themes might draw on elements like the vanitas theme from still life paintings, conveying life's brevity and the ultimate futility of material wealth.
They may depict environments that are surreal or oppressive to symbolize internal states of despair, as seen in gothic or phantasmagoric settings, or reflect on the intrinsic characteristics of life and existence, often highlighting the unjust nature of hereditary burden or societal inequalities.