Relationships in The Merchant of Venice

I found it rather interesting reading how each of the characters interacted amongst each other. Especially the relationship between Launcelot and his father Gobbo. Although at this point in the story they seem like rather marginal characters I think that their overall relationship and the way they interact with each other may be a foreshadowing to how the other characters are going to end up treating each other. When Launcelot runs into his father Gobbo he is at this point running away from Shylock, his master because he feels that he is "a cheap Jew" and that he treats him unfairly. I would think that if I am running away in search of refuge so to speak I would be grateful to run into my father not at a point where I'd like to play cruel jokes on other people. Launcelot's actions toward his father are cruel, deceitful, mean spirited and they lack very little character. What type of person would play such a cruel joke on a blind man?

LAUNCELOT

(aside) O heavens, this is my true-begotten father, who, being more than sand-blind—high-gravel blind—knows me not. I will try confusions with him.

GOBBO

Master young gentleman, I pray you, which is the way to

Master Jew’s?

LAUNCELOT

Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all on your left. Marry, at the very next turning turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house.

GOBBO

By God’s sonties, ’twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Launcelot that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?

LAUNCELOT

Talk you of young Master Launcelot? (aside) Mark me now. Now will I raise the waters.—Talk you of young Master Launcelot?

GOBBO

No “master,” sir, but a poor man’s son. His father, though I say ’t, is an honest exceeding poor man and, God be thanked, well to live.

LAUNCELOT

Well, let his father be what he will, we talk of young

Master Launcelot.

GOBBO

Your worship’s friend and Launcelot, sir.

LAUNCELOT

But I pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, I beseech you, talk you of young Master Launcelot?

GOBBO

Of Launcelot, an ’t please your mastership.

LAUNCELOT

Ergo, Master Launcelot. Talk not of Master Launcelot, Father, for the young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

I think that the deceitful actions of Launcelot are surely a foreshadowing to the deciet and demise that is to come within the interactions between the characters in the throughout the rest of the story.