The Merchant of Venice- Critical Evaluation
How effectively does Shakespeare explore the themes of love and hate through character in the play “The Merchant of Venice”?
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that could be considered timeless. Shakespeare effectively explores the themes of love and hate through character in the play which is a play of two parts. One part follows the fortunes of Bassanio, a friend of the Merchant, Antonio, in his attempts to win the hand of Portia, the rich and beautiful heiress of Belmont. The second part deals with the bond Antonio makes with Shylock, the wealthy Jew. Antonio agrees that if the three thousand ducats he borrows are not repaid within three months he will lose a pound of flesh in order to finance Bassanio’s courtship. Bassanio eventually wins Portia but discovers that Antonio has forfeited the bond. However, disguised as a lawyer, Portia crushes Shylock in the Venetian Court when he tries to get his pound of flesh, and the Christians return, victorious to Belmont.
The first theme love is very meaningful in the play and is first introduced through the characters Bassanio and Antonio when their friendship is explored. This is first evident in Act 1 when Bassanio acknowledges that he has been living above his income. He owes most to Antonio, but nevertheless asks him to lend still more in the hope of getting at least some of it back. Without a single thought of his own wellbeing or wealth, Antonio promises all he has.
“My purse, my person, my extremest means
Lie all unlocked to your occasions”
(1, I, ll 138-139)
In this quote, Shakespeare is attempting to stress the importance of love felt for friends, through Antonio. By using the word “unlocked” in this phrase Shakespeare is conveying the idea that Antonio is willing to do anything to help his friend when he is in need. Moreover, that Bassanio is the metaphorical ‘key’ to all in Antonio’s power. This is successful as it shows how strongly Shakespeare feels about
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that could be considered timeless. Shakespeare effectively explores the themes of love and hate through character in the play which is a play of two parts. One part follows the fortunes of Bassanio, a friend of the Merchant, Antonio, in his attempts to win the hand of Portia, the rich and beautiful heiress of Belmont. The second part deals with the bond Antonio makes with Shylock, the wealthy Jew. Antonio agrees that if the three thousand ducats he borrows are not repaid within three months he will lose a pound of flesh in order to finance Bassanio’s courtship. Bassanio eventually wins Portia but discovers that Antonio has forfeited the bond. However, disguised as a lawyer, Portia crushes Shylock in the Venetian Court when he tries to get his pound of flesh, and the Christians return, victorious to Belmont.
The first theme love is very meaningful in the play and is first introduced through the characters Bassanio and Antonio when their friendship is explored. This is first evident in Act 1 when Bassanio acknowledges that he has been living above his income. He owes most to Antonio, but nevertheless asks him to lend still more in the hope of getting at least some of it back. Without a single thought of his own wellbeing or wealth, Antonio promises all he has.
“My purse, my person, my extremest means
Lie all unlocked to your occasions”
(1, I, ll 138-139)
In this quote, Shakespeare is attempting to stress the importance of love felt for friends, through Antonio. By using the word “unlocked” in this phrase Shakespeare is conveying the idea that Antonio is willing to do anything to help his friend when he is in need. Moreover, that Bassanio is the metaphorical ‘key’ to all in Antonio’s power. This is successful as it shows how strongly Shakespeare feels about