The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice- Essay
Question: How were love and hatred explored throughout The Merchant of Venice?

The major themes communicated throughout The Merchant of Venice are love and hatred which are portrayed by the four main characters including Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio and Portia. These themes are further conveyed through characterisation, development of plot, language use, specifically the use of soliloquy and blank verse.
Shylock as a moneylender, seems to be presented as greedy, for charging interest and Antonio to have been antisemitic (hatred/discrimination against Jews). Shylock persuasively says “You spet upon my Jewish gabardine.” All the years of mistreatment towards Shylock by Antonio; all the insults, humiliation and mockery have piled up and resulted in the development of Shylock’s hatred and want for revenge towards Antonio.
The law is being used by Shylock in order to carry out acts of hatred towards Antonio because of the sheer antisemitic treatment he receives. Shylock demands a pound of flesh from Antonio, not wanting anything else. “An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice.” It is evident that Shylock is refusing triple the amount of money he lent Antonio in the beginning. This is because Shylock seeks revenge to Antonio from the previous years. This is shylock’s strategy which captivates the audience.
Portia travels to Venice, manipulating and reinforcing the law by disguising as a man and turning Shylock’s case against him in order to help her husband’s bestfriend, Antonio. Portia states “The words expressly are “a pound of flesh.” Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh, but in the cutting it if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.” Portia reinforces the fact that you can enforce the law, but you may not always receive justice. Portia shows no mercy towards Shylock. This shows Shakespeare used Portia’s character to convey the theme of love throughout the Merchant of Venice, although it is not consistent. Portia did this out of love because she knows that if Antonio dies, Bassanio would never be happy with his marriage, knowing he killed his honest and truthful friend.
Portia and Nerissa disguise as men of the law in order to win over not only Bassanio’s bestfriend’s case, but also his love. Bassanio and Gratiano’s love is tested by their wives, Portia and Nerissa. They are both given rings to keep until death. “But when this ring parts from this finger, then parts life from hence. O, then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead!” The ring plot is a minor part of the play, that reflects on the conflict of promises and explores issues of true love, where mercy is involved This quote by Bassanio shows how much he values the ring, but still he gives it to the judge who saved Antonio (Portia disguised as the judge), out of courtesy and acknowledgments.
Though Portia and Bassanio come to love one another, Bassanio seeks her hand in the first place because he is preposterously in debt and needs her money. Bassanio states “Is to come fairly from the great debts wherein my time something too prodigal hath left me gaged” continued by “Her name is Portia. She’s as rich as that famous Roman heroine.” I want to reinforce this statement by clarifying that Bassanio only wanted Portia’s hand for her wealth. Bassanio even asks Antonio to look at the money he lends Bassanio as an investment, though Antonio insists that he lends him the money merely out of love. In other words, Bassanio is anxious to view his relationship with Antonio as a matter of business rather than of love.
Love and friendship are effectively expressed through the characters of Bassanio and Antonio. “Content, in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, and say there is much kindness in the Jew.” This quote stated by Antonio efficiently imitates his loyalty of love and friendship towards Bassanio. Shakespeare uses these themes to communicate the connection between Antonio and Bassanio.
The subject of True love is communicated expressively through Bassanio and Portia. “Madam, you have bereft me all of words. Only my blood speaks to you in my veins.” Bassanio is clearly stating his feelings of true love towards Portia.
Shakespeare has portrayed love and hatred through much of his play, The Merchant of Venice. He has illustrated this by the themes such as marriage, the ring plot, friendship and law. He has conveyed the issues of love and hatred effectively through his use of characters, the plot and specific language techniques.
Shakespeare has enabled the aspects of true love and hatred through majority of the drama play and captured the deep connection amongst the characters Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio and Portia. This appeals and captivates the audience through the various techniques and interpretation of life. Shakespeare has applied these using typical day-to-day scenarios