The Merchant of Venice: Themes

The Merchant of Venice: Themes

Main Themes

Love and Friendship

  • The play explores the nature of true love and true friendship, often contrasting the two.
  • Antonio is willing to hazard his life for his friend Bassanio.
  • Bassanio and Portia demonstrate true love through their dedication to each other.

Prejudice and Intolerance

  • The theme of prejudice is extensively portrayed, predominantly through the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender.
  • Shylock becomes a victim of relentless anti-Semitic behaviour, illustrating the intolerance of the Venetian society.
  • Prejudice also presents itself in the way that Portia and her maid dismiss certain suitors due to their nations of origin.

Self-Interest Versus Love

  • A recurring theme is the tension between self-interest and love.
  • Characters like Shylock represent the idea of self-interest, with his focus being his wealth and revenge.
  • On the other hand, the Belmont world represented by Portia and her companions denote love and generosity.

Appearance and Reality

  • The play frequently explores the discrepancy between what appears to be and what actually is.
  • This is best illustrated with Portia’s appearance as a lawyer and the deception with the caskets.

Greed and Materialism

  • Greed and the desire for material wealth is a significant theme.
  • Shylock’s insistence on the pound of flesh illustrates his deep-seated greed and inhumanity.
  • It also portrays how the Venetian society is directed by commerce and money.

Law, Mercy, and Revenge

  • The notions of mercy and justice are central to the legal battle in the play.
  • Portia advocates for mercy and interprets the law in a manner that spares Antonio’s life.
  • Shylock, consumed by his desire for revenge, insists on strict adherence to the pound of flesh law.

The Role of Women

  • The play presents strong, clever women, notably Portia, who master the situations they encounter.
  • Portia, disguised as a lawyer, significantly influences the outcome of the trial scene.
  • Both she and Jessica demonstrate their wit, resourcefulness and dominance over the men in the play.

Whether revising the themes individually or together, remember that understanding their relationship with each other and with the characters is essential to a richer interpretation of the play.