The Merchant of Venice - Money Cannot Represent Everything

In Elizabethian times – money meant power, and a person’s status in the society. Money was one of the most important factors that society could not live without. However, there are things which money itself cannot buy or represent, such as the true value of a person, friendship, and revenge. In the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare, we explore the important idea that money cannot represent everything, through the bond between Shylock and Antonio, Bassanio’s choice of caskets, and the sacrifice Antonio makes for his best friend Bassanio.

Shakespeare portrays this message to us through the bond between Shylock, a Jew, and Antonio, a Christian. The bond is if Antonio fails to pay 3000 ducats he borrowed, Shylock can have a pound of his flesh. During the trial of Antonio for failing to repay his debt to Shylock in time, Shylock is confronted with Bassanio’s offer of twice the amount of ducats. Surprisingly however, the money-obsessed Shylock declines this offer and insists on keeping his pound of flesh. “If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them. I would have my bond.” This shows that above money, what Shylock wants is his revenge on Antonio for humiliating and spitting on him due to his Jewish roots. Shylock is determined on getting his pound of flesh as revenge from Antonio. This sends us the important idea that sometimes money is not always able to replace the things that people want. When people are truly intent and firm on getting what they want, it can overrule what may seem to be the most important thing to them. Shylock was intent on his pound of flesh, so much that it overruled his love for money.

We understand the message about money not being able to represent everything through Bassanio’s choice of caskets. When Bassanio makes the difficult decision of choosing the caskets which determine if he will obtain Portia, Portia worries as all the other suitors have made the wrong choice. They had chosen either the silver or gold caskets, showing their prejudice on her based on looks and monetary value. In contrast, unlike others, Bassanio chooses the dull and unattractive lead casket. He reasons that the lead casket must be hiding something valuable on the inside. “Which therein works a miracle in nature, making them lightest that wear most of it.” And “but thou, thou meagre lead, which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught.” Bassanio feels that those who wear the heaviest make-up (‘heaviest’) are the most immoral (‘lightest’). Instead of deciding on the casket based on its exterior appearance, Bassanio chooses the casket based on the interior (the true value of it), and successfully chooses the right casket, representing that he will love Portia as a person on the inside (her personality), and not for her material wealth or looks. Through this, we understand the theme that money and wealth is not as important as the true value of the person. We should not judge a person by his/her appearance and wealth but rather who they are as a person and their values.

Lastly, we understand the theme that money does not represent everything through the sacrifice that Antonio willingly makes for Bassanio. When Bassanio was in need of money to court Portia, Antonio does not hesitate to help him even though he is in financial need himself at that moment. He goes as far as to put his life on the line to a Jewish man he despises, just to borrow money for Bassanio. (Shylock) “Let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh.” (Antonio) “Content, in faith: I’ll seal to such a bond, and say there is much kindness in the Jew.” Antonio is a Christian, and Christians naturally despise Jews due to their religion, however he agrees to this and even says that there is much kindness in the Jew. Antonio is ready to die for Bassanio’s happiness and helps him despite needing money himself. He puts their friendship over money. This sends us the message that money does not represent the value of a relationship or friendship.

In conclusion, in the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare, he sends us the message of money representing everything through the sacrifices a friend makes (Antonio for Bassanio), the bond Shylock and Antonio has, and Bassanio’s true views of winning Portia’s heart and choosing the right casket.