The Merchant of Venice Structure, Characters, Themes

The Merchant of Venice Structure, Characters, Themes

Two World Venice Language of money, commerce Male friendship Justice / letter of law Belmont Poetic language Love / marriage bonds Mercy / spirit of law

Old vs. New Testament Judaism Justice / Retribution Letter of Law “A Daniel come to judgment” Christianity Mercy / Forgiveness Spirit of Law “Quality of Mercy is not strained”

Three plots Casket plot Pound of Flesh plot (Act I – III) Resolved with marriage of Portia and Bassanio (Act I – IV) Resolved with Court scene Ring plot (Act III – V) Resolved with reconciliation scene between Portia and Bassanio, Nerissa and Gratiano

Connection between plots Casket plot Bassanio needs money to woo Portia, thus borrows money from Antonio who need to borrow from Shylock, the Pound of Flesh plot Bassanio fulfills Portia’s father’s requirements but says contract isn’t final “until ratified by you.” Portia has fulfilled duty to father by marrying, but Ring plot allows her “out.” Ring plot tests whether Bassanio was really willing to risk and hazard all he had for love.

Connection between plots Pound of Flesh plot Antonio borrows money from Shylock so Bassanio can woo Portia, the Casket plot Portia also is the justice who pronounces sentence on Shylock for his attempt on Antonio’s life, the Pound of Flesh plot Portia’s role in saving Antonio and their desire to show their gratitude allows her the opportunity to request the ring from Bassanio as payment, affecting the Ring plot

Connection between plots Ring plot The gift of the ring by Portia to Bassanio culminates the Casket plot as a symbol for their love and marriage Portia’s role in rescuing Antonio allows her to request the ring as payment from Bassanio, connecting it to the Pound of Flesh plot By giving the ring to Antonio to give to Bassanio, Portia overrides the male bond and makes him an advocate for their marriage as most important bond.

Potential conflict for Bassanio’s love Lo ve Antonio ge ria ar /M ve Lo /F rie nd sh ip Bassanio Potential conflict Portia

Bassanio’s bonds Father/Son-like and/or friendship relationship with Antonio Father of Portia/Suitor bond through Casket choice Husband/Wife bond with Portia Love bond/promise through acceptance of ring Gratitude bond with Ballerio (Portia in disguise as Doctor of Law)

Couples Portia / Bassanio Nerissa / Gratiano Realistic couple – not just bond with father, must include love (excessive feeling but trying to maintain golden mean) Sexual couple – bet “stake down” and protecting Nerissa’s “ring” Jessica / Lorenzo Romantic Couple – references to famous lovers

Recognizable characters Heroine – Portia, disguises herself as man; teaches men about love (women’s concern), also about law (men’s concern) Clown – Lancelot Gobbo, plays trick on father Villain – Shylock, personal grudge, not Machiavellian

Who was Merchant of Venice? Antonio Shylock Has many ships in various parts of the world Lends out money for profit Bassanio Gentleman, but the one who ends up with the “Golden Fleece”: Portia, her father’s fortune

Shylock’s conversion to Christianity From Christians’ point of view Shylock cannot be “saved” without Christ They are doing him a favor From Jews’ point of view Shylock is condemned to be without society He cannot associate with other Jews The Christians won’t really accept him They are imposing a penalty worse than losing all his money

Themes Choices – greed vs. willingness to give, risk Appearance vs. Reality Bonds, covenants Risk, venturing (Antonio, Bassanio, suitors) Boredom, ennui Justice, mercy True nature of Love