Deception In Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice

Majority of humanity throughout history, revolves around the idea of fooling society through the use of misinterpretations with the art of deceptions. In the play The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, as a result of preconceived judgement of worth allows for a disconnect between appearances and reality, ultimately highlights how items of lesser value can create powerful results. Set in Venice in the 1500’s with a civilization that possesses a different perspective of standards and beliefs, Antonio, a Christian, borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock, a Jew with ulterior motives. The casket lottery adapts the standards of society with inspiration from stereotypical values. The Jews face a discriminatory nature from the Christians, as the
The creation of the casket lottery is for Portia to find the best husband, as they deceive the suitors to determine if they are worthy. Morocco selecting the gold casket is solely dependant on his perception of the exterior, ultimately leading to his downfall. After making his choice, he receives a scroll from the father of Portia:“All that glisters is not gold-/Often have you heard that told./Many a man his life hath sold/But my outside to behold” (2.8.73-77). The decisions of Morocco are made through the influence of others, along with the attractive exterior, portraying him as materialistic and superficial. Thus, teaching the reader how items that appear precious, are not always valuable in reality. Similarly, Shakespeare uses a rhyming couplet, to further add emphasis on the fact that he is not worthy of love. In addition, the reader can infer that because of the absurd standards of desirability set by society, will surely leave Bassanio in dismay and uncertainty, reflecting to the
He uses his lies to deceive Antonio into complying with the bond, in order to proceed with his ulterior motives, as a result of his hatred for the Christians. When asking Shylock to borrow his money, Shylock responds with,“Why, look how you storm!/I would be friends with you and have your love,/Forget the shames that you have stained me with,/ Supply your present wants, and take no doit/ Of usance for my moneys” (1.3.148-152) As a result of his false kindness and Jewish religion, Antonio underestimates Shylock’s ability to nearly follow through with the bond, creating suspense and tension throughout the majority of the play. The reader can infer that Shylock knows Antonio considers him powerless, and uses it to his advantage. Therefore, the Christians judge and determine preconceptions of Jessica with a stereotypical Jew in mind, as if all Jews are the same. Jessica gives her love, Lorenzo, a set of instructions, in order to perfectly, yet secretly elope: “She hath directed/How I shall take her from her father’s house… What page’s suit she hath in readiness” (2.4.33-36) The preconceived judgements of Jessica as a worthless Jewish female, leads to the surprise of having the ability to intelligently orchestrate such plan, questioning her motifs of marrying Lorenzo. Thus, the reader can infer that Jessica must be gullible, as she believes Christians have a better life, as she tells Lorenzo,