The Merchant of Venice Is a Play About Love and Hate

In the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare, according to a number of characters, there is a prominent aura revolving around the themes of love and hate. It is understandable that during the latter part of the play, Shylocks daughter, Jessica, contradicting her father Shylock, is in love with a Christian man named Lorenzo, a friend of Bassanio’s, whom takes Jessica from her father’s home and escapes to Belmont with her. On the other hand however, it is clear that within majority of the play Antonio and Shylock are enemies in terms of the ‘rialto’ (business district), due to Antonio lending Venetian ducats free-of charge, unlike Shylock whom lends with interest. This is chiefly due to Shylocks Jewish background leading to a sense of despise on behalf of Shylock towards Antonio (being Christian). Although there are a number of examples of love and hate within the play, however the two of the Shylock – Antonio’s hate is only matched by Jessica- Lorenzo’s compassion for one another. The following will discuss these in great depth as well as comparing the two situations, and adding evidential quotes to support any theory.

Love is:”an intense love or deep affection for someone you are willing to make sacrifices for.” Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ is indeed a play involving a predominant subtheme of love, as seen with the powerful affection between Jessica, Shylocks daughter and Lorenzo, Bassanio’s companion. While Shylock thinks of exacting his revenge over Antonio, reaches a new height when Jessica departs from her father’s home to marry a Christian, and in the process, converting from what Shylock covets with all his heart, the Jewish race as well as taking a substantial proportion of Shylocks wealth. This signifies the intense devotion on Jessica’s behalf towards Lorenzo in particular, as she not only gives up the Religion she was raised up with, but it also indicates the sacrifice willingly made by Jessica for the love of Lorenzo, exactly