Shylock and Bassanio

                What stood out to me most in Act IV of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, other than all of the incredibly confusing discussion between the characters about the different deals being upheld and broken, was many of the passages in scene one, around lines sixty to seventy on page 1160. After Shylock’s long speech, we hear Bassanio determine that his response “is no answer” (4.1.62) to which Shylock replies “I am not bound to please thee with my answers” (4.1.64). This interchange to begin with was really interesting because despite how Shylock already seemed, he just keeps getting worse and worse as it goes on. His speech from lines thirty-four to sixty-one completely circles around how he simply refuses to give an answer, and it seems like he’s just trying to waste time and frustrate Bassanio enough so that he will just agree to anything as long as he can be away from Shylock.

                While all of this was intriguing, the quote that really caught my eye in this portion was what came next, when Bassanio asks “Do all men kill the things they do not love?” and Shylock responds, “Hates any man the thing he would not kill?” and then finally Bassanio says, “Every offense is not a hate at first” (4.1.65-67). It just seems so much like this interchange shows so vividly what types of people these two are. While I am not the biggest Bassanio fan either, it just shows how much more human he seems to be than Shylock. He is so incredulous that this man just wants to take the life out of anything and everything that ever could possibly irritate him, as most people probably would be, and Shylock feels like this is such normal behavior that it is chilling. Plus, to make it all even more of a moment, Bassanio is trying to make Shylock understand through simple terms what he is getting at and Shylock not only contradicts him but uses his own words to do so, which just really makes him seem awful. Finally, Bassanio’s final sentence almost seems like it could have been the end of the argument, with Shylock coming out on top, had it not been delivered powerfully, but the two do continue discussion in the story. Again, Bassanio just seems so overwhelmed by Shylock’s mere personality; it is as though just for a moment Bassanio and the reader have the same emotions.

                The rest of Act IV had many other good moments and plenty of sections which I simply could not wrap my head around, but this page in particular really stood out to me just because of that last interchange between the two men. I really loved the first line Bassanio said which I mentioned about all men killing the “things they do not love,” which was what made me stop and really analyze the passage, and I just felt like what I found offered such a glaring view of Shylock’s true character.  The fact that he does not immediately realize that not everything warrants death, that he needs to be told this is just so indicative of so many things about him.

Portia and Bassanio: A complicated love affair?

The character of Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, is one that is particularly interesting. She is described as being a beautiful and wealthy individual, characteristics that are commonly seen in the female characters of William Shakespeare’s pieces. Once of Portia’s most entertaining qualities seems to be her witty nature. This can be seen when Portia is engaged in conversation with her waiting-woman, Nerissa.

In the beginning of the play, Portia is describing the conditions in her father’s will which are controlling her decision to find a suitor. Portia describes her inability to choose a husband when she states: “I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father” (1.2 20-22). According to her father’s will, in order for Portia to marry, the men must choose from three chests, each being made of gold, silver, or lead.  In only one of the chests lies a portrait of Portia. The man who choses the chest which includes the portrait is the individual who will be honored in marrying Portia. In order to pay respect to her father, Portia agrees to adhere to the condition of her late father’s will, despite the slightly frustrating and tiresome process that she must endure. 

When conversing with her waiting-woman, Nerissa, Portia is discussing the reasons why she will not marry a various amount of men. Portia provides several flaws that these men have, some being entirely shallow and humorous. These reasons include men who seem to be too consumed with themselves, men who are too serious and men who indulge in alcohol too frequently. Although the readers are given no reason to not believe Portia, it is fair to question if these reasons for not accepting the various suitors are entirely truthful, or if they are simply excuses made by Portia. 

Regardless, Portia is fearful that she will never find a respectable man to marry. It is then, when Nerissa suggests that Portia consider Bassanio to be one of her suitors. Bassanio is one of the only men who Portia considered to be a respectable candidate for marriage, which can be seen when she says “I remember him well, and I remember him worth of thy praise” (1.2 100-01). This line serves in great contrast to Portia’s reaction to the other men. 

At this point, it can be assumed that Portia is unaware of the fact that Bassanio is in the process of attempting to obtain a loan in order to woo Portia. Because of the wealthy status that the other suitors possess, Bassanio feels the need to borrow three thousand ducats in order to be considered as a suitor for Portia. In order to do this, he must obtain a loan from Shylock. The audience later learns that this agreement is more complicated than it first appears, as Shylock has a great hatred towards Antonio, whom is supporting the loan. This can be seen when Shylock says “I hate him for he is a Christian; But more, for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis, and brings down the rate of usance her with us in Venice” (1.3 37-40). It is clear at this point in the play, that the relationship between Antonio and Shylock may have a great impact on Bassanio’s relationship with Portia. 

Characters

Sam Montagna

Professor Mulready

Shakespeare II

30 January 2012

Characters

Antonio is saddened, yet he does not know why. His friends suppose that he is in love or his “merchandise” is making him upset (Shakespeare 40.1122). Antonio denies all of this. Antonio reminds me of a person who has everything going for them but is still depressed. He has friends who support him and he is not living in poverty. If I had to guess what was wrong with him, it would be that life has gotten him down. I think he is a little lost. He states that he does not know where the misery has come from and that he has a lot of learning to do inside himself (5-6.1121). Graziano's advice seems the best suited for Antonio's situation. He basically tells him to relax. “Why should a man whose blood is warm within sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster” (83-84.11230). Why should a man filled with passions and dreams sit still like a tombstone? Graziano, although there is little to no description about him, seems very wise and sensible. After Graziano leaves, Bassanio has a talk with Antonio. Antonio is a great friend. Bassanio owes him money and love and Antonio still agrees to help Bassanio out in winning the heart of the fair Portia. Bassanio wants to be in the same league as the other men that chase Portia, who is so beautiful and good, she is compared to Brutus' wife. Portia, on the other hand, is tired of the losers that want to marry her. I do not understand Portia's father's conditions for her marriage. Nerissa speaks of a lottery in which men choose their “meaning” (27.1126). According to Nerissa, the one who chooses correctly will be the one that Portia falls for. Portia also hears of Bassanio and knows that out of all, he “was the best deserving a fair lady” (99.1127). The fact that Portia mentions Bassanio is foreshadowing. It is clear, the two will eventually meet later in the play. Bassanio and Antonio meet Shylock to borrow three thousand ducats. I feel so terrible for Shylock. Shylock dislikes Antonio because he is Christian and he loans money for free. Also, Antonio has called him names and spit on Shylock because he is Jewish. Shylock agrees to loan Antonio money after all of the abuse. Shylock even offers friendship to Antonio. Shylock is a bigger person than Antonio. Although Shylock is the “jew,” the very thing that many people despise, he overlooks the hatred even after Antonio admits that he would spit on him again. It is fair of Shylock to impose such a harsh consequence on Antonio if he cannot pay him back. Antonio agrees wholeheartedly to the bond because he is certain that he will be able to pay the loan back without any problem. I believe this is foreshadowing as well. It is obvious that Antonio's ships will not come back in time and Shylock will have to take a pound of his flesh. Antonio's arrogance when it comes to paying back all the money will backfire on him.

The Merchant of Venice - Act I

One of the first things I noticed while reading The Merchant of Venice was that Antonio and Bassanio are immediately set up as being different from their other friends. The play opens with Antonio speaking with Solanio and Salerio, who leave when Bassanio arrives with Lorenzo and Graziano, saying that they leave him (Antonio) with “better company” and that the new arrivals are “worthier friends.” Lorenzo and Graziano also depart almost immediately after encountering Antonio. I’m left wondering why this is; is it simply because Shakespeare wanted to set up Antonio and Bassanio as the protagonists? Or are the others of a lower class? I also found it interesting that Bassanio pokes fun at Graziano after he leaves, much like friends would in a similar situation today. Bassanio tells Antonio that Graziano speaks constantly, but never says anything worthwhile. It is unclear to me whether he meant it as an insult or a joke though.

Although we’ve only read the first act of the play, my favorite scene so far was our introduction to Portia and Nerissa. I felt that the dialogue between the two women flowed very well, almost better than the dialogue between the other characters. I also felt that the dialogue in this scene (1.2) had more comedic aspects throughout it. Even though I felt bad that Portia was being forced to choose a husband from a select group as opposed to being able to choose on her own, I also found it amusing that she couldn’t find any redeeming qualities in any of the suitors. Another thing that I noticed in this scene was that Portia seems to speak more than almost anyone else in the play so far, except for possibly Shylock. Is there a reason for this, or is it just because of the questions she is answering?

We are asked, in our reading questions, to consider the character of Shylock and even in the introduction to the play in the Norton we are asked to consider whether or not the portrayal is anti-Semitic in any way. The character is obviously educated and he speaks well and at length, throughout scene 1.3. At this point in the play, however, I’m unclear as to whether his portrayal is anti-Semitic or not. Based on what took place during the scene, it seems that Shakespeare may just be portraying anti-Semitism as it is at the time, as opposed to taking a side about it. We learn that Antonio has, in the past, insulted and spit on Shylock, presumably only because he is Jewish. On the other hand, Shylock tells the audience outright that he “hate[s] him for he is a Christian” (1.3.38). This makes it hard to tell what the intended portrayal of ant-Semitism is in the play because both characters dislike each other based on their religions. I also noticed that Shylock is one of the more comedic characters we’ve met in the play so far and I wonder if his sarcasm is meant to make him more or less desirable. Personally, I seem to like his character more when he is mocking Antonio and Bassanio (around 1.3.110) because of the humor, but I’m unsure if this is intended or not.