This being the first time I’ve ever read The Merchant of Venice, the opening act has obviously left me with a few questions and plot devises I’d like to speculate on. I’m trying my hardest not to read ahead or otherwise spoil the plot for myself in some other way as to keep my blog entries at least somewhat entertaining, so here’s what I have so far:
Like most of the other Shakespearean comedies I have read, The Merchant of Venice introduces us to the major, defining plot point almost immediately. We are given the characters of Antonio, a wealthy merchant who attributes his fortune to sea-faring investments, and Bassanio, his longtime friend who has not only squandered his own fortune, but has relied on Antonio to help him out financially on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, Antonio loves and respects his friend, and barely hesitates to offer a solution for Bassanio’s most recent exploit (winning the hand of the wealthy and much sought-after Portia). However, Antonio’s investments are currently out at sea, and he does not have the means to aid Bassanio without a loan from a money-lender, in this case, Shylock the Jew. This relationship between Antonio and Bassanio, the wealthy and responsible character constantly bailing out his more compulsive though economically challenged best friend, is absolutely classic. I’m not completely sure where the concept began (maybe with Shakespeare), but it has since been repeated in countless low-budget romantic comedies in the last few years. It definitely caught my interest, at least. It also makes me wonder whether Antonio might have some stronger feelings for his erratic friend than he's letting on? Or maybe that's just implied? When Skylock proposes his condition of a pound of Antonio's flesh should the merchant's loan "break," Antonio is oddly determined to go through with the agreement, regardless of Bassanio's pleading. However, that might have more to do with Antonio's arrogance and dislike in regard to Shylock than his desire to help his friend. Like I said, this play is very new to me.
One last smaller comment I’d like to make is on the minor character, Graziano. Shakespeare made it a point to emphasize Graziano’s personality and manner of speech as very long-winded and sort of foolish. I feel like he would not have wasted as many lines focusing on this character flaw if it is not somehow involved in the plot a little later on. Right now, my guess is that his verbosity is either going to get him or his friends into some kind of trouble, or will be a continual source of comic relief (and frustration) in later acts. Thoughts?
2 comments:
While reading Act I, I felt as though I were watching a sitcom play out before me. True, usually Shakespeare provides the plot details necessary to elucidate his characters' motives, but I like what's he's done with Merchant of Venice, namely, give his readers an incentive to stay tuned for Act II. The mysteries of Antonio's moodiness and his relationship with Bassiano are the primary reasons I'm not putting my remote down. As for Graziano, I'm glad you brought him up. I didn't exactly find him so foolish as jolly. His speech, lines 79-103, are important because they draw attention to Antonio's sullen state, which mirrors Portia's. Both apparently live in comfort but are dissatisfied with life. This theme, I predict, will play a large part in the plot.
It's nice that you call our attention to the minor character, Lauren, and I agree he is interesting. Shakespeare gives us a wide range of male characters in this play, and he seems to be exploring different types of male personae. Maybe that's part of what gives it the "sit-com" feel that Nicole mentions?
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