Discuss the theme of the play "The Merchant of Venice " by William Shakespeare. (15 marks)
Answers
Answer:
Love and Friendship. In connection with mercy and generosity, The Merchant of Venice also explores love and friendship between its characters. The central romantic relationship of the play is that between Bassanio and Portia.
Answer:
The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599.
The Merchant of Venice
Title page of the first quarto for the Merchant of Venice (1600)
Title page of the first quarto (1600)
Written by
William Shakespeare
Characters
Antonio
Shylock
Portia
Bassanio
Jessica
Date premiered
Spring of 1605
Place premiered
Court of King James
Original language
English
Series
First Folio
Subject
Debt
Genre
Shakespearean comedy
Setting
Venice, 16th century
Although classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for Shylock and his famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech on humanity. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy".
Explanation:
Antonio – a prominent merchant of Venice in a melancholic mood.
Bassanio – Antonio's close friend; suitor to Portia; later the husband of Portia
Gratiano – friend of Antonio and Bassanio; in love with Nerissa; later the husband of Nerissa
Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio; in love with Jessica; later the husband of Jessica
Portia – a rich heiress; later the wife of Bassanio
Nerissa – Portia's waiting maid – in love with Gratiano; later the wife of Gratiano; disguises herself as Portia's clerk
Balthazar – Portia's servant
Stephano – Portia's servant
Shylock – a miserly Jew; moneylender; father of Jessica
Jessica – daughter of Shylock, later the wife of Lorenzo
Tubal – a Jew; friend of Shylock
Launcelot Gobbo – servant of Shylock; later a servant of Bassanio; son of Old Gobbo
Old Gobbo – blind father of Launcelot
Leonardo – slave to Bassanio
Duke of Venice – authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond
Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia
Prince of Arragon – suitor to Portia
Salarino and Salanio (also known as Solanio) – friends of Antonio and Bassanio[1]
Salerio – a messenger from Venice; friend of Antonio, Bassanio and others[1]
Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, gaolers, servants to Portia, and other attendants and Doctor Bellario, cousin of Portia