Merchant of Venice Themes

MERCHANT OF VENICE ESSAY
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Despite its age Shakespeare’s play has some very important things to say about human nature.
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Do you agree?

Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ explores several important universal themes which are common concerns for all human beings. These concepts include an exploration of Revenge and the importance of mercy combined with justice and what makes a loyal and faithful love.
One of the most important ideas in the play is the destructiveness of hatred and revenge. Antonio has treated Shylock quite cruelly in the past and is victimised by Shylock for this cruel treatment. Shylock hates Antonio for two other reasons “I hate him because he’s a Christian; But more for that in low simplicity He lends out rubbish gratis.”
Shylock says he will use Antonio’s pound of flesh for fish bait because of all Antonio’s done to him like insulted his race and made fun of him. He explains that although he is a Jew, he should still be treated as any other. He says that even Jews, if treated poorly will seek revenge- just like any other. “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?”
Shakespeare also examines what people need to be faithful lovers. He implies that people need to be honest, loyal and selfless. When the prince of Morocco chose the gold casket which said “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” The prince of Morocco chooses this casket purely because he wants Portia and all her money. When he opens the casket, he is surprised to see a skull symbolising that he is cold hearted, selfish and that many men desire death. The prince of Aragon chooses the Silver casket with the words “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves". The Prince chooses this casket because he thinks that he deserves Portia and all her money. When he opens the casket he finds a “portrait of a blinking idiot” which symbolises that he is an arrogant fool.
Finally it is Bassanio’s turn to choose the casket. Obviously the lead casket must contain Portia’s picture as we have seen the other two wrong choices. Bassanio chooses the correct casket. The scroll inside reads “You that choose not by the view, Chance as fair and choose as true. Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new,” meaning that whoever chooses this casket does not judge people by what they look like but rather who they are on the inside. It also means that they are not just looking out for themselves but also for others and they are not just after money.
Bassanio is constantly honest with Portia throughout the play. He explains once he chose the casket that he was not rich because he’d spent all his money, he even told her at the end of the play that he did give away his ring. Portia tests Bassanio’s honesty and faithfulness at the end of the play. She tricks him into thinking she was a man, lures him into giving her the ring and then returns back home and sees if he has the guts to tell the truth about what happens. “What ring gave you my lord? Not that, I hope, which you received of me.”/“If I could add a lie unto a fault I would deny it. but you see my finger Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.”
Another Important theme (associated with love) addressed in the play, is that of friendship. When Bassanio asks for more money from Antonio, he is so selfless to Bassanio. He does not mind the slightest bit that Bassanio is taking even more money from him. “I pray you good Bassano, let me know it, And if it stand as you yourself still do Within the eye of honour, be assur’d My purse,my person, my extremest means Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.”
Bassanio reacts to Antonio’s letter as if it is the end of the world. He receives the letter and reads it out loud. The letter reveals that Antonio is in danger because he is bankrupt as all his ships are lost out at sea. “my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live”
Antonio also says in his letter that all debts for Bassanio have been paid off. This shows how strong their friendship truly is. Bassanio and Gratiano are also two good friends however Bassanio describes Gratanio as "Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice" implying that Gratiano gets on his nerves a bit when he talks about pointless topics.
Shakespeare also explores the importance of balancing justice with mercy in the play. Shylock is very strongly put on the justice side of things and always wanting what he thinks he deserves. Whereas characters such as Portia, believe in a second chance and listening to what others have to say. Just when Shylock is about to take that pound of flesh off Antonio, Portia in desperation forces Shylock to stop by saying that he may have the flesh off Antonio but no blood. Shylock realises that this is impossible and Portia gives her opinion on mercy. ‘The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed. It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. It is mightiest in the mightiest’
Shylock again is set on getting what he thinks he deserves. He hates Antonio and brings up how although he is a jew, he should be treated no differently. He says that he will cut off a pound of flesh if Antonio does not pay him back. Antonio eventually finds out he can’t pay his debt and Shylock prepares for the cutting.
Shakespeare in his writing makes it clear that he believes in both justice and mercy. He does this by giving positive and negative outcomes of doing just the one and implies everything will be fine if you balance out the two.
Shakespeare’s ‘merchant of Venice’ explores many different themes that are still common concerns for all people today. They include revenge, love, friendship, justice and mercy.