Majority of the people in the world believe in the idea of having a soul mate. They believe in the thought of love at first sight, and doing anything for the one they love. In the play, The Merchant of Venice, poor Bassanio saw beautiful Portia, a wealthy lady of Belmont for the first time and fell in love. He was willing to go through an arranged marriage process and choose the right one out of the 3 caskets to marry her. Daughter of Jewish father wicked Shylock, Jessica chooses to marry Christian Lorenzo no matter the consequences, because she loved him. All of the characters come together to protect broke merchant Antonio who's income sunk from his bond with cold hearted Shylock who wants nothing more but his love for revenge. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare theme shows that no matter what the consequence is, people should and will always go through extreme measures to be with the person or thing they love.
Throughout the play, many of the characters proved that they would go long ways to be with the person or thing that they loved. In Act 3, scene 5, Jessica tells Lorenzo, "He tells me flatly that there's no mercy for me in heaven because I am a Jews daughter."(3.5.27-28) Back then, there were strict laws and beliefs about Jews and Christians being together. However, because Jessica loved Lorenzo so much, she looked past the consequences and decided to run away with her lover. Unhappy with her life and father, yet worried about what he would do if he found them, Jessica decides to take all his money. "I may be a daughter of his blood, but i'm not related to his life style.. I'll turn Christian and be your loving wife."(2.3.17-20) She knew that her father would be very angry, and would punish them if they were ever to be found. Without looking back, she took the money anyway and escaped towards her freedom and happiness.
Back then, many daughters were agreed into an arranged marriage forced upon by their fathers. In order to marry Portia, a man would have to choose one of the three caskets that had her picture in it. Bassanio knew he loved Portia from the moment he met her. "Let me choose. As I am, living on the rack of torment."(3.2.24-25) Bassanio knew that if he chose the wrong casket, he was to never to marry anyone. Yet, that was a risk he was willing to take because if he chose right, Portia would become his wife. People should go through extreme measures not only for the people they love, but for the things they love as well. Shylock would rather take a pound of Antonios flesh than 9 thousand dollars, all because he was in love with the idea of revenge. "I swear upon my soul that no man has the power to persuade me otherwise.. I'll have my bond!"(4.1.237-239) Because Shylock hated Antonio so much, he loved the idea of revenge and a pound of flesh was the only way he thought Antonio would pay for it. Doing this, he knew this was going against his religion and that there would be consequences yet, he believed it was the "right" thing to do to Antonio.
In conclusion, the theme of the play The Merchant of Venice portrays that when a person loves someone or something, they will and have to do anything for them no matter the consequence. Love is about sacrificing things to be with the person you love. A person should put the person they love needs over themselves, and protect them no matter what. No matter the consequence or judgement they will get, when a person loves someone they will prove it to them. Just like how Jessica was willing to change her religion and Bassanio borrowed a lot of money just to be with the people they loved. Someone being able to change or risk things to be with their significant other as proven in The Merchant of Venice is portrayed as love.
No comments:
Post a Comment