 William Shakespeare wrote numerous plays dealing with the letter versus spirit antithesis, almost always coming down on the side of "spirit", often forcing villains (who always sided with the letter) to make concessions and remedy.In one of the best known examples, "The Merchant of Venice", he introduces the quibble as a plot device to save both the spirit and the letter of the law.The moneylender Shylock has made an agreement with Antonio that if he cannot repay a loan, he will have a pound of flesh from him.