The Merchant Of Venice 3 Essay, Research Paper

The Merchant of Venice

I believe that S. T. Coleridge & # 8217 ; s give voice & # 8220 ; representation of work forces in all ages and all times & # 8221 ; applies to this drama because I feel that the characters in this drama, even the female 1s, portray cosmopolitan elements of the nature of adult male. One of these elements is award, which Antonio displays courageously. A 2nd component is the bumptiousness so frequently associated with work forces, this component got Antonio in a pile of problem. Another component is a adult male & # 8217 ; s trueness to his true friends is great ; Bassanio and Gratiano proved this when he refused to allow Antonio down. Last, the stereotype that work forces are less intelligent or witty than adult females is played out when Portia and Nerissa outwit their suers and acquire them to give up their rings.

In Shakespeare & # 8217 ; s clip a adult male & # 8217 ; s award was normally the lone collateral he possessed in an issue. Hence, a adult male would desire to keep as much award as he could ; Antonio made good on his word at all costs. When it seemed that he had lost the bet with Shylock, Antonio was prepared to portion with a lb of his flesh to do good on his word. However, when the Duke pointed out that Shylock could take no blood or face worse effects, Antonio got of the hook. The fact remains, though, that Antonio would hold given his ain flesh to guarantee that his award would be protected.

When Bassanio asked Antonio to assist him acquire a 3000 Ducat loan by endorsing him with his good recognition, he agreed. When the two met with Shylock, the usurer, Shylock was mistrustful that all of Antonio & # 8217 ; s money was tied up in merchandiser ship ventures. Shylock so drew up a bond that called for Antonio to assure him the money by a certain twenty-four hours or so owe a lb of his flesh to Shylock. Antonio sealed the bond knowing that his ships were in a hazardous venture because he wanted to portray his austere trust in his ain fiscal position.

Shakspere shows really good the fact that a adult male & # 8217 ; s friendly relationship with another adult male about ever serves as the top precedence. This is shown best in this work by Bassanio, a friend of Antonio & # 8217 ; s. Bassanio had merely won the manus of Portia in matrimony through a game, and it pleased her to be his married woman, so Bassanio learned that Antonio needed him in his test. Now to understand the quandary that Bassanio faced one must understand that Portia was royalty, and the

most desired and beautiful adult female in the land. Even though he was so really tempted by Portia to stay with her, Bassanio’s friendly relationship with Antonio about instantly drew him to the test. This component is besides supported when Portia and Nerissa find out that Bassanio and Gratiano gave up the rings that they promised with their psyche to maintain. The adult females are really disquieted, so the work forces, fearing for their relationships, plead with the adult females, seeking to explicate the fortunes. Finally, Bassanio and Gratiano, pledge their religion to the adult females once more. Antonio, who was non involved in the difference, offers his psyche to guarantee the adult females that the work forces will maintain their word.

The last component discussed in this paper is that work forces are intellectually inferior to adult females harmonizing to conventional stereotypes. Shakspere shows this well with Portia and Nerissa & # 8217 ; s characters. Portia and Nerissa decided that they would wish to prove the devotedness of their new sweeties. So when Bassanio and Gratiano depart to help Antonio with his test, Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves and go forth rapidly. The palace is left in the attention of Jessica, Shylock & # 8217 ; s girl and Lorenzo, her hubby. Bellario ( Portia in camouflage as a physician of Torahs ) and his clerk ( Nerissa ) enter the courtroom in which Antonio & # 8217 ; s test is traveling on ; they assist in liberating him of the bond. Portia so asks for Bassanio & # 8217 ; s ring as payment for her aid. He refuses it until she has left and Antonio tells him to give it to her, so Bassanio sends Gratiano after Portia ( she is still disguised ) with the ring. Then Nerissa finagles Gratiano out of her ring. Then the adult females return rapidly place. The three work forces arrive back at the palace and happen Portia and Nerissa waiting, but Bassanio and Gratiano don & # 8217 ; Ts have their rings on. After doing the work forces feel sufficiently bad and coercing them to implore for forgiveness, the ladies return the rings and the three twosomes live merrily of all time after. But merely after the adult females have asserted themselves as more craft.

Upon scrutiny of these elements one can easy pull the decision that Shakespeare is concentrating on male behaviour. This drama makes usage of stereotypes that criticize work forces every bit good as points out good qualities that work forces possess, like personal appeal and award. I believe that S. T. Coleridge & # 8217 ; s phrase fits really good because Merchant of Venice is a & # 8220 ; representation of work forces in all ages and all times. & # 8221 ;