Merchant Of Venice Archetypes Analysis

Love is not black and white. Varied degrees and types exist throughout literature, media, and the real world. In fact, William Shakespeare covers several forms of love in his play The Merchant of Venice. Examples include the romantic love between Bassanio and Portia and the friendship between Bassanio and Antonio. While Shylock’s love of money is strong and steadfast, it cannot compete with the aforementioned types. Materialism is not true love. In one incident, even Shylock realizes this, bemoaning the loss of a ring that his late wife gave him, and insinuating that it was worth more than money. Despite this, Shylock appears indifferent at best to his daughter, showing no signs of the love between parent and child. Coldly, the man even wished

Several, such as Launcelot as the fool and Shylock as the tyrant help with characterization. But other archetypes possess a more profound role- Shakespeare utilizes these to support his views on the nature of love. In fact, some archetypes depicted facilitate the depiction of strong male friendship. For example, Shakespeare portrays Antonio as the damsel in distress; “all debts are cleared between you and I if I might but see you at my death” (III.ii.317-318). In this incident when Bassanio rushes to the courthouse with money in an attempt to save his friend’s life, the younger man acts as a knight in shining armour, coming to rescue the tense damsel. In the process, Bassanio leaves behind his new wife, showcasing his priorities clearly. Luckily, Portia arrives in time to save Antonio’s life anyway, proving a much more adept knight. Another example of an extremely telling archetype is Portia as the trapped spouse. Marrying her for money, and with clear priorities elsewhere, Bassanio essentially traps Portia in their marriage. While Portia does admittedly want to marry him back, the two newlyweds still fit into the mold; their marriage was based on money and Portia and Bassanio must navigate literal trials and tribulations to find true love. In essence, a few specific archetypes demonstrate that male friendship is stronger than romantic love or any other

Obviously, the plot continuously clarifies Antonio as Bassanio’s priority. One incident that elucidates this preference is when Portia, disguised as a law clerk, asks her husband for the ring the man promised to wear forever. Initially, Bassanio refuses to part with the ring Portia gave him. But after weighing Portia’s instruction to keep the ring against Antonio’s advice to give it, Bassanio listens to his friend over his spouse. Hence, this example epitomizes the position of male friendship over romantic love. Also, the setting vies to prove Bassanio and Antonio worthier. Placid Belmont belongs to Portia; it brims with love and emotion. However, unruly Venice, with its talk of money and loans, symbolizes Antonio. And directly after marrying Portia, Bassanio fervently runs back to Venice. Direct characterization further proves that Bassanio loves Antonio more. In fact, Bassanio even outright proclaims it in the courtroom, remarking “my wife, and all the world/ Are not with me esteemed above thy life/ I would… sacrifice them all/ … to deliver you” (IV.i.281-284). Clearly, literary devices prove that Shakespeare depicted male friendship as the strongest form of