Gender Inequality In The Merchant Of Venice Essay
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice shows many ideas and values that are still relevant today. Gender inequality, one of the main themes throughout the play, one of the most talked about topics in the country. Marriage in The Merchant of Venice left women with no freedom in choosing who they wanted to marry, while marriage now has given women the choice. Women did not have a say, their thoughts were never taken into consideration. Shylock makes a deal with Antonio who doesn’t fulfil his end of the bargain.
Marriage is a controversial topic when thinking about then and now. Then, women had no choice in who they wanted to marry. Either their father choose, or her suitors had to pass a test, or in Portia’s case, choose the correct casket to find …show more content…
(1.1.163, 174)
Bassanio's words show how 'many Jasons come in quest of her,' referring to Greek mythology where 'Jason' went searching for the Golden Fleece. This line is referring to Portia as the Golden Fleece, while the many Jasons, her suitors, try to find her, find the portrait. The line 'is a lady richly left,' refers to how Portia has been given her father's inheritance, leaving her rich, just how the Golden Fleece would have been worth millions. Following through with this is what Portia thinks of the way that her husband will be chosen.
"Portia"
O me, the word “choose!” I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike—so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? (1.2.21-25)
Here Portia explains explicitly how she does not get to choose who she wants to marry. Her repetition, using the rule of three's, of the word 'choose' emphasises the fact that Portia 'cannot choose one nor refuse none.'
Not only this but when women married in the time and setting of The Merchant of Venice they immediately became their husband's property and legal responsibility.
Marriage is a controversial topic when thinking about then and now. Then, women had no choice in who they wanted to marry. Either their father choose, or her suitors had to pass a test, or in Portia’s case, choose the correct casket to find …show more content…
(1.1.163, 174)
Bassanio's words show how 'many Jasons come in quest of her,' referring to Greek mythology where 'Jason' went searching for the Golden Fleece. This line is referring to Portia as the Golden Fleece, while the many Jasons, her suitors, try to find her, find the portrait. The line 'is a lady richly left,' refers to how Portia has been given her father's inheritance, leaving her rich, just how the Golden Fleece would have been worth millions. Following through with this is what Portia thinks of the way that her husband will be chosen.
"Portia"
O me, the word “choose!” I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike—so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? (1.2.21-25)
Here Portia explains explicitly how she does not get to choose who she wants to marry. Her repetition, using the rule of three's, of the word 'choose' emphasises the fact that Portia 'cannot choose one nor refuse none.'
Not only this but when women married in the time and setting of The Merchant of Venice they immediately became their husband's property and legal responsibility.