The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of VeniceIntroduction
In William Shakespeare’s romantic tragic comedy, The Merchant of Venice, he employs an array of dynamic characters and utilises their colourful and contrasting relationships as tools, set against an Italian backdrop, to reveal his views on love to the audience.
Money VS Love
Through the frequent references to the need and desire for money, the writer develops the theme of the conflict between material values, that is love for money, and spiritual values or the love between human beings.
The conversation between the two about “treason” and “truth”, further develops the theme of love and demonstrates the development of Bassanio, when he says “confess and love”, showing that true love has taken the place of his love for money. He is not deceived by false seeming nor is he arrogant, he is concerned to fit true love, inner truth and virtue together, with money being no more than “common drudge”.
Certain interactions between characters highlight Shakespeare’s point, of love being more important than money, with Antonio not offering to pay Portia money for her services, but offers “love and service”. Portia too says, “my mind was never yet more mercenary”, reaffirming Shakespears point
Money
All characters are concerned by money, with the plot revolving around Portia’s wealth and Bassanio’s need for money and the hatred between Shylock and Antonio because of money. Much imagery keeps the idea of money at the foremost of ones mind, with Shakespeare making a concise and clear message that one should be generous yet careful.
Love
The words “but one who you shall rightly love” encompass one of the most important themes of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, that is true love.
Romantic love is advanced in Belmont, far away from the stresses and strains of city life and is best explored through the characters of Bassanio and Portia as they realise that one should not marry for money or because one is bored, but because one truly loves another person.
Much drama and suspense surrounds their courtship due to the casket test, with Portia saying to Bassanio “if you love me, you will find out” but it is overcome, evident in the images of music, signifying harmony between the lovers, one of Shakespears many language techniques.
Initially, Bassanio appeared to be wooing Portia for mercenary gains, but it is finally his true love for her that allows him to distinguish appearance from reality; to choose the right casket and thus to win her in marriage. He realises that he is attracted to Portia not because of money but because of true love, “I am married to a wife/Which is as dear to me as life itself.” and further becomes clear to the audience by his overjoyed reaction to finding her portrait, using hyperbole language to describe her. Portia’s love for him is just as sincere, particularly evident in her generosity in allowing her new husband to go and save his friend Antonio, with whatever means...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.