More handpicked essays just for you.
The merchant of venice characters and their roles
The merchant of venice characters and their roles
The merchant of venice character relationships
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Bassanio and Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice When we first meet Bassanio he is with his good friend Antonio asking for money. We learn that Antonio has previously lent money to Bassanio and he has wasted it by living beyond his means. Bassanio tells Antonio; ‘and by adventuring both I oft found both,’ meaning that if Antonio lends him the money he will use it to make his fortune and pay off both his debts. Perhaps to some degree Bassanio is using Antonio for his money; it seems unreasonable to ask for more before he has paid his previous debt. He wants to use the money to woo Portia, who he says he has fallen in love with. However, he mentions her money before her beauty ‘In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair,’ and describes her using references to wealth; ‘Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,’ making us suspect that his motive for wishing to marry her is not love. When Bassanio sets sail for Belmont, he is giving up an expensive party very easily, this may mean that he does actually care about Portia, or simply that he wants to get there before someone else chooses the correct casket. Antonio is very sorry to see him go, Bassanio and he have a close relationship; ‘And with affection wondrous sensible He wrung Bassanio’s hand, and so they parted.’ Perhaps Bassanio is being selfish by leaving Venice so abruptly. In Belmont, we learn much about Portia through how she describes her suitors. She makes racist remarks about Morocco saying he has the ‘complexion of a devil,’ however, in Shakespeare’s time this was an acceptable form of humour as Elizabethans hated dark skin. She is cruel but shows that she possesses both intelligence and wit. Bassanio is the man she wants to marry, but she tries to play down her interest in him after giving herself away to Nerissa; ‘Yes, yes, it was Bassanio!--- as I think so was he called.’ When speaking to Bassanio she is much less assured.
Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice exemplifies a principle that is as unfortunately true in our time as it was in his - he who has money also has love, sex, and above all, power. In this case, the use of 'he' is deliberate; 'she,' in the Elizabethan era, rarely had either financial independence or much control over the course of her life. Portia, the deceitful heroine of the play, is a major exception. To put it bluntly, Portia is enormously rich. This unique position allows her to meddle in the affairs of the unsuspecting and somewhat dim male characters, and eventually gives her unprecedented power of self-determination. However, the play is more than a tale of feminine wiles overcoming male dullness of wit. Portia's wealth and intelligence may fuel her successes in marriage and the courtroom, but in each case it is her ability to usurp traditionally masculine roles that guarantees her victory. As Portia exploits the codependence of wealth, masculinity, and public power in her society, she becomes the only woman in the play who consistently controls her own destiny.
During the falling action of the play, Gratiano took the chance to jeopardize his relationship with Nerissa when he gives away the ring he sworn he would never lose. As said by Gratiano to Nerissa in the falling action of the play, “Now by this hand, I gave it to a youth.”(4.2.161) when he explains that he gives his ring to the judge’s clerk to his wife Nerissa. Although Nerissa was just joking about taking the ring which disguised as the clerk, it comes to her surprise that her husband has the audacity to break a commitment. This ring plot brings suspense and tension to the scene as the two elements anticipate Nerissa’s reaction and it also gives background information as this scene is one of the major plots in the play. Correspondingly, the role of taking chances is shown in the link between Jessica and Lorenzo. Amid the rising action, Jessica (Shylock’s daughter) escapes her father’s house to abandon him and marry Lorenzo – who her father hates since Lorenzo is a Christian. Before Jessica leaves Shylock, she tells Launcelot – the fool – during the rising action, “I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so; / Our house is hell, and thou a merry devil ... / Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest. / Give him this letter, do it secretly” (2.3.1-7). Jessica tells Launcelot that she is also going to leave Shylock and
Baptista is looking for suitors to marry his daughters and views the marriage as a monetary transaction: "After my death the one half of my lands, and in possession twenty thousand crowns." (2.1 122-123). In this quote, Shakespeare is using the characterization of Baptista to demonstrate how women were viewed as nothing more than objects that could be sold. Baptista told this to Petruchio when he asked how much Kate was worth. In addition, Baptista was attempting to appeal to suitors: "Proceed in practise with my younger daughter; she 's apt to learn and thankful for good turns. Signior Petruchio, will you go with us, or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?" (2.1 165-168). Shakespeare uses Baptista to demonstrate how poorly women were viewed. Baptista is practically selling his daughters and attempting to make them more appealing to suitors, so much as offering to bring Kate to Petruchio. Throughout most of the play, Baptista is looking to marry off his daughters. "Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant 's part, and venture madly on a desperate mart." (2.1 345-346). Shakespeare uses Baptista to demonstrate once again the little value women have and how they are viewed as objects. Baptista is acting as a "merchant" when he is selling his
Hero and Claudio represent the Elizabethan norm in marriage. Claudio is the shrewd, hardheaded fortune hunter and Hero is the modest maiden of conduct books and marriage manuals, a docile young woman. It is important to note that Claudio is more concerned with advancement in Don Pedro's army than he is with love. Therefore, Shakespeare illustrates to the reader through the near tragedy of mistaken identity that Claudio must learn that marriage is more than a business arrangement and become worthy of Hero's love and affection. Source: Ranald, Margaret Loftus. "As Marriage Binds, and Blood Breaks: English Marriage and Shakespeare". Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol 30, 1979: 68-81.
In Act II, Portia uses rhetoric, or persuasion, to try to convince Brutus to tell her what is going on by proving her strength and loyalty to him. Portia does this in a few ways. When first trying to convince Brutus to tell her what is happening with him and why he has been acting so strange, Portia reminds Brutus that she is a part of him, his wife, his other half. She acknowledges that she is there to know his secrets and comfort him. Portia says to Brutus, “Which by the right and virtue of my place / I ought to know of. (kneels) / And upon my knees I charm you, by my once-commended beauty, / By all your vows of love and that great vow / Which did incorporate and make us one / That you unfold to me, your self, your half, / Why you are heavy, and what men tonight / Have had to resort to you” (Act II, Scene 1, lines 271-279).
Shakespeare's Portrayal of Iago and Brabantio in Othello. This extract below is taken from Act 1 scene 1, which contains plenty. of dramatic irony on the whole from Iago. It is also rich in imagery.
The portrayal of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, demonstrates the inferior treatment of women and the certain stereotypes of men placed on them by society. Both the male and female characters in the play have these certain gender expectations placed on them. In a society dominated by men, it is understood that the women are to be seen rather than heard. The women are referred to and treated much like property. If indeed they do speak up, they are quickly silenced. One woman’s attempt to be the perfect wife is what ultimately led to her demise. The expectations of men are equally stereotypical. Men are to be leaders and to be in control and dominant especially over the women. The male characters compete for position and use the female characters in the play as leverage to manipulate each other. Shakespeare provides insight in understanding the outcomes of the men and women who are faced with the pressures of trying to live up to society’s expectations, not only in the workplace, but also in the home. The pressure creates jealousy issues amongst the men and they become blind to the voice of reason and are overtaken by jealous rage, leads to the death of many of the characters.
from the messenger at the end of Act 2 Scene 9 before he enters unlike
This sets things up for the wedding scene at the end of the play. It also sets things up for Bassiano to make his choice later in the game. So in closing I would just like to remind you again that the soliloquies in any play or novel are really important because they explore the character more deeply than normal speeches, and they also reveal the character’s truest and deepest feelings. In other words, it reveals the true colors of the person. So just remember that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, nor a character from what they say when there with other people.
People use all types of ways to manipulate people into doing things for them. Things such as lying or even playing with one's feelings are some of the ways that people do to get what they want, whether it's for a good reason or a bad one .In julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, we are introduced to two concerned wifes. One named Portia, who is married to Brutus, and the other named Calpurnia, who is married to Julius Caesar. Both want the best for their husbands and both do so by doing what they believe is best.
and she wants to marry him. Bassanio, by choosing a. to risk everything he has, shows the effects that true love can have on someone. I will be there. True love can conquer any fears or apprehensions you may have. He was willing to risk everything he had in order to show his love for Portia.
Everyone is deceived and believes Portia is truly a man therefore showing that she has the capabilities to exert the traits of a man. Portia is described as the “wise young judge” (IV, I, 228) and an “excellent young man” (IV, I, 252) by Shylock showing that he believes in the gender identity of Balthazar. Bassanio, Portia’s husband, is also fooled as he states that Antonio’s life is more valuable to him than Portia. Her credibility in turn gives her power over the men in the scene. She is able to use the balances of justice along with her knowledge in order to save Antonio. The turn in this scene is when she repeats, “A pound of flesh” (IV, I, 315) and states the specific words used in the document as no blood can be dropped from Antonio or else Shylock will be punished and strikes fear into Shylock. This shows that it is possible for a woman to obtain the masculine qualities of being powerful and intellectual. If Portia were to have not dressed as a man, but merely a woman, due to the social constructs of the time she would not have had any power in this situation. Portia tells Bassanio “I pray you, know me when we meet again” (IV, I, 432) which shows her feelings towards Bassanio not knowing her true identity, even through her disguise. Her actions were that of her individual, but due to her altering her appearance of gender it changed the way others viewed her
shows that he is eager to win Portia that he does not ask for a
In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the role of women is quite significant. Although there are only three women throughout the play, Jessica, Nerissa, and Portia, all play a role that affects the outcome of the play. Portia, Jessica, and Nerissa are all very significant characters from this time period. The three women display characteristics of bravery, independence, and intelligence.
sent by her master, Orsino, to win the love of Countess Olivia for him. At first it seems as if