Paper On Money In The Merchant Of Venice

1021 words - 5 pages

2Galvante1GalvanteEric GalvanteProf. RaubicheckEnglish 120D3/7/2013Money in The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice, a play by William Shakespeare, is about a Jewish moneylender, Shylock, who seeks revenge against the Christian merchant, Antonio. This play also tells about the love between Bassanio, a gentleman from Venice, and Portia, a wealthy heiress from Belmont. The only way Bassanio can marry Portia is by borrowing money, three thousand ducats to be exact. Bassanio then asks Shylock for the three thousand ducats. This loan, however, would be on the credit of the Christian merchant Antonio. In order for Bassanio and Portia to live happily together, then, they would have to f ...view middle of the document...

The now happy couple promises to love one another and Bassanio is given a ring by Portia that he must never give away. However, Bassanio receives a letter in which he finds out that Antonio's ships have sunk meaning that he is soon to die. Portia tries to come to the rescue by saying, "What, no more?  Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;  Double six thousand, and then treble that… or never shall you lie by Portia's side With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold To pay the petty debt twenty times over" (III.II.298-307). The unique answer Portia gives to Bassanio not only implies her wealth, but also the love she has for Bassanio. Portia is willing to give Bassanio twenty times the fee in order to make her husband happy.The money Portia is willing to give unfortunately is of no use, as Shylock wants revenge by using the original terms written in the bond between him and Antonio, which is a pound of Antonio's flesh. Since Shylock will only agree to those terms, Portia will yet again show her love for Bassanio by dressing up as a young law clerk. As a law clerk she would ultimately use her intelligence to reverse the outcome of the trial allowing Antonio to become a free man once again.Finally the last obstacle in which money played a role is in Act Four, Scene One. This is right after the trial between Shylock and Antonio. Still dressed as a young law clerk, Portia is approached by Bassanio , who is thanking "h...

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