Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

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Recommended: Love in the merchant of venice

Shakespeare, provides a brilliant example of 'seeing the other' in his play The Merchant of Venice. Through the course of the play, Antonio's actions indirectly tell of his homoerotic love for Bassanio, and also creates a sense of question of the line between loving friends or lovers. Antonio helps Bassanio win Portia's love, through provisions of money, advise, and offering his life up, ironically meeting the inscription on the lead casket that must be chosen to win her hand: “Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath”(2.7.19-20). The Merchant of Venice's other is Antonio, who “loves the world only for [Bassanio]”(2.8.52).
Antonio's support of Bassanio in courting Portia, with his monetary generosity, are to make Bassanio happy, even at the cost of his own happiness. This creates a fake impression that Bassanio returns Antonio's love, even though Bassanio states: “to you Antonio/I owe the most in money and in love” (1.1.129-130). Bassanio does not have romantic love for Antonio, only that of a friend as his eyes are set on Portia, he is simply asking Antonio for funds to w...

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