The question is raised as to which values to select over others. The combination of references to substitution also serves to make the point that making choices and choosing one thing over another is unavoidable.

This unavoidable nature relates to the fact that substitution is part of society. We also see where substitution is of benefit to a person. Elbow is one example, he owes his job to substitution, as he says "as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them." (II.i) This leads to one of the themes of the play, corruption, a theme that touches on substitution.

In fact there are many themes of the play that relate to substitution. Some of the themes are a choice between two things, where one must be substituted by the other. Action vs. words is one example. This theme is especially important as it also relates to the...
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