... Antonio, a rich merchant and his intimate friend, Bassanio. Both of them a loving bond of friendship. Basssanio, a spendthrift, has taken a loan from his friend, Antonio. It is Antonio's love for Bassanio that makes him disregard Bassanio's frivolous habits and sign the fatal bond, even at the ... are finally overcome. Portia and Bassanio represent the highest form of love. Though initially Bassanio appears to be influenced by Portia's riches, later in the play, he proves to be a true lover, who has been charmed by the numerous qualities of Portia. His love for Portia is also tested by...

• Word Count: 709
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... they are all illustrated and developed in different ways. The major themes in this play centre around love, money, loans, prejudice, Father daughter relationships and friendship, and are all intertwined throughout the play. To capture the full extent of the way Shakespeare has intertwined his themes, it is best to start from ... had not fallen in love with Portia, there would be no need for Antonio to receive a bond with Shylock, and if Antonio's friendship with Bassanio were non-existent there would be no loan, and no money therefore, no Portia. So already it has become evident that l...

• Word Count: 581
• Approx Pages: 2

... purchasing the semblance of my soul,"(3.5.19-20) is where the heart of this play is in my eyes. Portia doing what she can for her one true love, Bassanio. Money is of no importance to her especially when it comes to the happiness or unhappiness of Bassanio. There are many places in the Merchant ... hazards his chance with the lead casket. The scroll inside this casket proves this point;" You that chose not by the view, Chance as fair, and choose as true: Since this fortune falls to you, Be content, and seek no new. If you be well pleas"d with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, ....

• Word Count: 1324
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... 's Merchant of Venice, Gay? Does he love Bassannio in a homosexual way? Is Antonio's willingness to risk his life for Bassannio a clue to his true feelings toward him? No, Antonio falls victim to these accusations because he is merely a simple character who Shakespeare uses to help him fully develop the other ... nothing more. He is shown to be a very good friend, an upstanding citizen and good Christian that is all. In Elizabethan times it is true that many men were homosexual but were not socially allowed to admit it because it wasn't as accepted as it is today. However, Antonio's ... ...

• Word Count: 1530
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... hate most prominently through the prejudices of both Christians and Jews and their behaviour towards one another. The theme of love is shown amongst the Christians, in the love of friendship and marital love. The themes are emphasised in the settings of the play, Belmont symbolising love and Venice symbolising hate. As well as this the immorality of various characters can ... . Shakespeare displays the repugnant effects of hatefulness in The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare demonstrates love in The Merchant of Venice amongst the Christians. He also distinguishes between the love of friend...

• Word Count: 1018
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... grudge I bear him- (Act I, scene iii). Shylock obviously feels blind ill will against all Christians. Shylock also exposes himself as cunning and deceitful by hiding his hatred beneath a fazade of friendship in order to entice Antonio to become indebted to him, not just financially but with his life as well. Antonio is very nave regarding the terms of the bond, making ... a dangerous and hasty decision. He takes the "pound of flesh- clause as a show of friendship and not hatred: "The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind- (Act I, scene iii). Perhaps he received the terms of the bond...

• Word Count: 1557
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as to thy friends, for when did friendship take a breed for barren metal of his friend?" (I, iii, 126-130) By this quote, Shakespeare is emphasizing that Antonio is not mistaken in doing so and that it is acceptable ... , but I love her heartedly; for she is wise, if I can judge of her; And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true; and true she is, as she hath prov"d herself. And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true, Shall she be placed in my constant soul." (II, vi, 52-57) S...

• Word Count: 1839
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... of the Jews, and the way he has treated them. By the end he has learned that tolerance is important, as well as mercy, justice and friendship. A tiny voice in the overwhelming darkness of our own ignorance, the Merchant of Venice speaks out, imploring the world to become more tolerant, to improve ... tolerance, and the power bestowed in bothhim that gives, and him that takes (IV, I, 183).? Anattribute to awe and majesty (IV, I, 187),? it is a true blessing, one which is needed by all people. In his attempted suit of Portia, the prince of Morocco begs her tomislike [him] not for his compl...

• Word Count: 1766
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stained me with. In an aside where he is speaking only to the audience, Shylock reveals his true feelings towards Antonio: I hate him for he is a Christian Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!' He has shrewdly planned to trick Antonio out of his money, and even his ... life by hiding his hatred behind a fazade of friendship. This shows Shylock to be false and devious. Perhaps Antonio receives the terms of the bond in this manner because he is confident that he will be able to repay ... ...

• Word Count: 2283
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School