Merchant of Venice
From ancient times, through to the Renaissance, friendship between two men was regarded as the highest form of social relationship, even surpassing that between a man and a woman in matrimony. This is portrayed through “The Merchant of Venice”, written by William Shakespeare which was written between 1556 and 1558. This platonic natured friendship is still portrayed in modern literature, but due to changed opinions because of the society in which it was written it is more subtle in expressions as portrayed in “The Running Man” by Michael Gerard Bauer, which was written in 2003. Both texts were intended for different audiences to perceive them in the era they were written in. Where Shakespeare did not even consider the ill perception of his characters friendship, but Bauer reflected society through a character and her actions. This illustrates the change that has occurred in society on their views of a noble friendship.
Elizabethans believed that a platonic noble friendship could exist between two men. Edward Spenser was perhaps the most illustrious of Shakespeare’s contemporaries and his writings were analysed by Charles G. Smith in “Spenser’s Theory of Friendship”, which was written in 1935. It states “Expressed in the simplest terms the ideas (of noble friendships) are friendship is based on virtue, friendship based on equality, friendship based on similarity… and friends goods are common goods” this applies to both The “Merchant” and The “Running Man”. This was openly expressed in “The Merchant of Venice” By William Shakespeare through the two characters of Antonio and Bassanio. In Act 1 scene 1 Antonio is portrayed as someone who is depressed; “In sooth I know not why I am so sad” ( Act 1 scene 1, lines 1-2). The Elizabethan audience of Shakespeare’s time will attribute Antonio’s possession of melancholic humour as affecting his temperament. This is likely as he denies that it is his anxiety over his ships. Their relationship is based on true friendship
Elizabethans believed that a platonic noble friendship could exist between two men. Edward Spenser was perhaps the most illustrious of Shakespeare’s contemporaries and his writings were analysed by Charles G. Smith in “Spenser’s Theory of Friendship”, which was written in 1935. It states “Expressed in the simplest terms the ideas (of noble friendships) are friendship is based on virtue, friendship based on equality, friendship based on similarity… and friends goods are common goods” this applies to both The “Merchant” and The “Running Man”. This was openly expressed in “The Merchant of Venice” By William Shakespeare through the two characters of Antonio and Bassanio. In Act 1 scene 1 Antonio is portrayed as someone who is depressed; “In sooth I know not why I am so sad” ( Act 1 scene 1, lines 1-2). The Elizabethan audience of Shakespeare’s time will attribute Antonio’s possession of melancholic humour as affecting his temperament. This is likely as he denies that it is his anxiety over his ships. Their relationship is based on true friendship