Merchant Of Venice: Money And Wealth.

The merchandiser Of Venice

Critical Evaluation
By Daniel Shaw
This paper was written by a 12 year old and should therefore be viewed only as a basic overview.
Shakespeare’s founding of silver and riches forms a major part of ‘The Merchant Of Venice’. It heavily influences the audience’s perception of the play’s characters and the character’s perception of each other. Money and riches are presented by contrasting characters and settings.

The theme of currency and riches is also a major plot advancer. Antonio enters the bond so that he can give Bassanio money. Bassanio needs the money to butterfly Portia and everybody wants to marry Portia because she is rich. Even the subplot of Jessica and Lorenzo touches on money and wealth as Jessica steals money and jewels from Shylock. The hatred between Shylock and Antonio stems from their views on money lending .It is money that leads Antonio into danger but it can’t save him. In this play money causes more care than happiness.

One device that Shakespeare uses to present the theme of money and wealth is setting. Venice is shown as being the centre of money and power, the exact enemy of the idyllic Belmont. Belmont is used as a setting to upgrade the positive presentation of both love and wealth.



Belmont is where the wealthy Portia lives. For Portia money isn’t an issue and she can use it to help those she loves. When she hears that Antonio is in danger of losing his life she says to Bassanio:

‘You shall have gold to pay the fiddling debt twenty times over.’

In contrast Venice has Shylock, a soldiery for whom the only thing more important than money is revenge. Shakespeare uses these two setting to the positive and negative aspects of money and wealth into lemony contrast.

Another way that Shakespeare presents the theme of money and wealth is by contrasting it with the theme of love and friendship. In the first travel money is used as something that...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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