The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare / Author Introduction / Historical Context / About the Work / Themes / Characters/ Summary & Analysis

 

The Merchant of Venice

by 

William Shakespeare

Brief Biography of William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's father was a glove-maker, and Shakespeare received no more than a grammar school education. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, but left his family behind around 1590 and moved to London, where he became an actor and playwright. He was an immediate success: Shakespeare soon became the most popular playwright of the day as well as a part-owner of the Globe Theater. His theater troupe was adopted by King James as the King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare retired as a rich and prominent man to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1613, and died three years later.

Historical Context of The Merchant of Venice

Like much of the rest of Europe, England severely restricted the rights of Jews. In fact, Jews were banished completely from England in 1290 by King Edward I, and were not officially allowed to return until 1655, when Oliver Cromwell allowed Jews to return. This exile was technically in effect during Shakespeare's time, but scholars believe that a few hundred Jews still lived around London in the guise of Christians. One of the reasons Renaissance Christians disliked Jews was the Jews' willingness to practice usury—the practice of charging interest or "use" on borrowed money. There was a long tradition in Classical and Christian moral thinking against usury. Shakespeare's contemporary, the philosopher and statesman Sir Francis Bacon, argued in his essay On Usury that it was "against nature for money to beget money."

Other Books Related to The Merchant of Venice

Though some describe The Merchant of Venice as a comedy because it ends with the marriage of its heroes Portia and Bassanio, it can also be described as a kind of "revenge tragedy." Typically, a revenge tragedy revolves around the quest of its central character to avenge a wrong committed against him, which usually leads to the deaths of many characters, almost always including the revenge-seeker himself. Shakespeare wrote several revenge tragedies, including Hamlet. Shakespeare's late romance, The Tempest (1510–1) takes the form of a "revenge tragedy averted," beginning with the revenge plot but ending happily. Merchant of Venice might be described as a revenge tragedy barely averted, as Portia swoops into the courtroom scene and saves Antonio from Shylock. Perhaps the most important related work for Merchant of Venice, however, is Christopher Marlowe's The Jew of Malta (1589-90), which tells the story of the moneylender, Barabas, who has all his wealth seized by the Maltese government in order to finance the defense of the island against invading Ottoman Turks. Barabas revenges himself against the governor who seized his property, allies with the Turks, and briefly becomes governor of Malta himself, before the Maltese regain control of the island and put him to death.

Key  Facts about The Merchant of Venice

• Full Title: The Merchant of Venice
• When Written: 1596–8
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1623
• Literary Period: The Renaissance
• Genre: Comedy/tragicomedy; Revenge tragedy
• Setting: Venice, and the nearby country estate of Belmont
• Climax: The trial of Antonio, the merchant, and Shylock, the Jewish moneylender
• Antagonist: Shylock

Themes:

1. Mercy vs. Justice:

   • The play frequently contrasts mercy with justice, particularly in the trial scene where Shylock demands the legal pound of flesh, and Antonio pleads for mercy. The tension between these two concepts raises questions about the fairness of strict justice versus the benefits of compassion.

2. Prejudice and Discrimination:

   • Anti-Semitism is central to the play, as Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, faces significant prejudice from the Christian characters, especially Antonio. This theme explores how deep-seated hatred and bias can shape personal relationships and societal structures.

3. The Nature of Contracts and Bonds:

   • The play deals with legal agreements, like the bond between Shylock and Antonio, which explores the complexities of contracts, promises, and the consequences when they are broken. It raises questions about the human desire for security versus the risks of entangling oneself in binding commitments.

4. The Role of Friendship and Loyalty:

   • Friendship, especially between Antonio and Bassanio, is explored throughout the play. Antonio’s willingness to sacrifice his life for Bassanio underscores the theme of loyalty. The play also looks at the nature of loyalty in a more transactional sense, such as the relationships between Shylock and his daughter Jessica, or the loyalty of the characters in the various subplots.

5. The Importance of Appearances:

   • The play is full of disguises and mistaken identities, like Portia dressing up as a lawyer to save Antonio. This theme explores how appearances can be deceptive, and how identity can be manipulated to achieve goals.

6. Love and Friendship:

   • Romantic and platonic love are both explored, particularly the relationship between Bassanio and Portia, and the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio. The play asks whether love is selfless or driven by personal gain, and how love can influence decisions and actions.

7. Revenge and Retribution:

   • Shylock’s desire for revenge on Antonio drives much of the action in the play. His insistence on getting what he is legally owed, regardless of the consequences, highlights the destructive nature of revenge and the idea that vengeance can be a corrosive force.

 Characters :

1. Shylock

• A Jewish moneylender who seeks revenge on Antonio for insulting him and for borrowing money without interest. His demand for a pound of flesh as collateral for a loan is central to the play's conflict. Shylock is a complex character, portrayed both as a villain and as a victim of anti-Semitic prejudice.

2. Antonio

• The merchant of the title, Antonio is a wealthy Christian man who is kind but often melancholic. He lends money to Bassanio, his close friend, and ultimately agrees to a risky bond with Shylock in order to help Bassanio. His character represents loyalty, selflessness, and the complexities of friendship.

3. Bassanio

• Antonio’s best friend and the romantic lead of the play, Bassanio is a young Venetian nobleman. He is charming and noble, but also somewhat imprudent with money, which leads him to seek Antonio’s help. Bassanio’s love for Portia is genuine, and his journey is as much about proving his worth to her as it is about solving the financial problems of his friend.

4. Portia

• A wealthy heiress who is bound by her late father’s will to marry the man who successfully chooses between three caskets. Portia is intelligent, resourceful, and determined. She disguises herself as a lawyer to save Antonio in the trial scene and plays a crucial role in the resolution of the play’s main conflict.

5. Jessica

• Shylock’s daughter, who is unhappy with her father’s strictness and the life he provides. She elopes with Lorenzo, a Christian, and converts to Christianity. Jessica's actions, especially her theft of her father’s wealth, contribute to the tension between Shylock and the other characters.

6. Lorenzo

• A Venetian gentleman and Bassanio’s friend, Lorenzo is in love with Jessica. He is part of the subplot involving her escape from her father’s house. Lorenzo and Jessica’s relationship highlights themes of love, religious conversion, and societal conflict.

7. Gratiano

• Bassanio’s friend and a companion to Antonio. He is more outspoken and less serious than Bassanio, often offering comic relief. Gratiano also falls in love with Nerissa, Portia’s maid, and his relationship serves as another romantic subplot in the play.

8. Nerissa

• Portia’s maid and confidante. Nerissa is witty and clever, and like her mistress, she disguises herself in the courtroom scene to assist in the legal proceedings. She marries Gratiano, and the two share a subplot of their own.

9. The Duke

• The ruler of Venice, who presides over the trial between Shylock and Antonio. The Duke is somewhat powerless against Shylock’s insistence on the bond but plays a key role in bringing about the final resolution.

10. Solanio and Salarino

• Two Venetian merchants and friends of Antonio. They provide much of the comic relief in the play, but they also help move the plot forward by discussing Antonio’s sadness and the state of affairs in Venice.

11. Launcelot Gobbo

• A clownish servant who originally works for Shylock but leaves to serve Bassanio. Launcelot provides comedic moments and represents the play's treatment of servitude and loyalty. His actions help to move the plot along, especially in terms of his relationship with Jessica.

Summary & Analysis

In Venice, Bassanio, a not-so-wealthy nobleman, asks to borrow money from his dear friend and wealthy merchant Antonio, in order to have the funds to woo Portia, a wealthy noblewoman. Although Antonio doesn't have cash handy, because all of his ships are at sea, he gives Bassanio permission to borrow as much money as he needs on Antonio's credit.

Meanwhile, at her nearby country estate of Belmont, Portia laments to her serving woman Nerissa about her father's will, which stipulates that any man who wants to marry Portia must answer a riddle by choosing one of three "caskets," or chests (one gold, one silver, and one lead). Only the man who chooses correctly can become Portia's husband. Portia has been disgusted with all of her suitors thus far. Still, Nerissa reminds Portia of a fine Venetian marriage prospect—Bassanio.

Bassanio asks the Jewish moneylender, Shylock, to lend him 3000 ducats. After much hesitation, Shylock agrees—Antonio will guarantee the loan with his property as collateral. However, when Antonio himself arrives and begins insulting Shylock for committing usury (charging interest on his loans), Shylock proposes a bizarre alternative. He will not charge Bassanio any interest for three months. However, if Antonio defaults, Shylock will be entitled to cut one pound of flesh from anywhere on Antonio's body that he likes. Confident that his ships will return to Venice, with many times 3000 ducats, well before Shylock's deadline, Antonio accepts.

At Belmont, the Prince of Morocco arrives to try his luck at the riddle of the caskets. He chooses incorrectly (gold), and leaves in defeat. Meanwhile, in Venice, Lorenzo, a friend of Bassanio's, has fallen in love with Shylock's daughter, Jessica. One night, when Shylock goes out, Jessica steals a large sum of money from her father and elopes, as planned, with Lorenzo. Lorenzo and Jessica, along with many others, then travel with Bassanio to Portia's estate.

The Prince of Aragon is the next of Portia's suitors to try to solve the riddle of the caskets. After much deliberation, he chooses silver, which is wrong. As the Prince of Aragon leaves, Bassanio arrives, laden with gifts for Portia.

A few weeks pass, and news arrives that Antonio's ships have been lost at sea. Though Shylock has been unable to locate Jessica, he consoles himself that he will have his revenge in the form of the pound of flesh promised to him by his contract with Antonio.

Back at Belmont, Portia and Bassanio, who have spent all this time together, have fallen in love. Portia begs Bassanio to wait before facing the riddle, because she can't bear the thought of losing him if he guesses wrong. But he insists on going ahead. To their joy, he chooses the correct casket (lead). To seal their betrothal, Portia gives him a ring, instructing him never to lose it or give it away. Then Nerissa and Bassanio's vulgar friend Gratiano announce that they, too, intend to wed. However, just then, a letter arrives from Antonio, with news of his lost ships and Shylock's intention to collect his pound of flesh. Alarmed, Portia gives Bassanio enough money to repay the loan many times over. As Bassanio hurries off to Venice, Portia hatches a plan of her own to save Antonio.

In the court of Venice, the Duke is presiding over Antonio's trial. Shylock resists their requests that he show mercy and insists on pursuing his "pound of flesh," despite the fact that Bassanio has offered him 9000 ducats instead. Nerissa and Portia arrive on the scene, disguised as a law clerk and a lawyer, respectively. Portia points out that the contract Shylock holds doesn't give him the right to take any blood from Antonio, and that if Shylock sheds even a drop of blood while cutting Antonio's flesh that all of Shylock's wealth will be confiscated by the state. She further finds Shylock guilty of conspiring to kill a Venetian citizen, and therefore must hand over half of his wealth to Antonio and the other half to the state. Antonio and the Duke decide to show mercy, however: Shylock must only give half his wealth to Antonio, and promise to leave the other half of his wealth to Jessica and Lorenzo after his death. In addition, Shylock must convert to Christianity. Devastated, Shylock accepts.

As Portia is leaving, Bassanio (who still thinks she is Balthazar, the lawyer) tries to offer her money in thanks for her favorable judgment. She refuses, asking for his the ring that he is wearing instead. Thinking of his vow never to part with it, Bassanio hesitates. But after some prodding from Antonio, he gives in. Gratiano also gives his ring to Nerissa.

Back at Belmont, Lorenzo and Jessica have been enjoying an idyllic romantic evening. Shortly before dawn, Portia and Nerissa arrive, soon followed by Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio. The women feign indignation that their husbands lost their rings. However, they soon end the game and confess their role in the court scene. The couples are reconciled, and news arrives that Antonio's lost ships have returned safely to port, bearing great riches.

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