Responsibilities in William Shakespeares Merchant of Venice

Responsibilities in William Shakespeares Merchant of Venice The small and seemingly insignificant details in a story often hold together an entire theme of the work. This phenomenon is recognizable in the plays of William Shakespeare, as a speech or incident with a minor character can point the audience to a much larger truth about the work as a whole. The Merchant of Venice contains such a minor character, Lancelot, whose story gives a clue to the reader about the roles of the other characters in the play. Lancelot abandons his servitude to Shylock, and thereby weakens his own value as a member of society fulfilling a role. Lancelot’s decision is noteworthy because it represents a conflict of responsibilities that can be found in†¦show more content†¦Lancelot’s mistake is in choosing what seems to be the lesser of two evils instead of remaining true to the greater of two responsibilities. Once Lancelot departs from Shylock’s house, he finds shame and trouble in his service to Bassanio. Soon after Bassanio ha s employed Lancelot, Lorenzo makes a troubling report: â€Å"The Moor is with child by you, Lancelot,† (3.5.33). Lancelot has impregnated one of Portia’s servants, and elicits humiliation from Lorenzo, his new master’s friend, who calls him a â€Å"fool† (3.5.37). Though Lancelot seems flippant about the circumstance, it is clear that his superiors think him reckless and imprudent. He has opened up trouble for himself by neglecting his primary responsibility to Shylock, and mischief follows Lancelot for the rest of the play. This mischief seems to dominate the misfortunes of the characters that do not fulfill their roles. Portia and Nerissa mischievously pretend to have slept with the doctor and the court clerk, furthering the shame that is upon Bassanio and Grazziano. It seems only fair, as Bassanio has neglected his responsibility to Portia. Up until Bassanio is married to Portia, his primary duty is as a friend to Antonio. However, as soon as he is married, he is responsible first to Portia. When he allows Antonio to convince him to give up his wedding ring to the doctor who defended them, he dishonors his first duty and thereby invites shame. Even knowing that â€Å"more depends onShow MoreRelated Essay on Justice vs. Morality in Measure for Measure and Merchant of Venice1107 Words   |  5 PagesJustice vs. Morality in Measure for Measure and Merchant of Venice    There are many similarities shared between Shakespeares plays, Measure for Measure, and The Merchant of Venice.   The underlying theme of each work is well defined by the phrase Justice without the temperance of mercy, is power misused.   I will support this claim by drawing upon some of the characters and situations that are consistent in each story. In each story a mans life depends on the interpretation, andRead MorePortia and Bassanio in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice785 Words   |  4 PagesPortia and Bassanio in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† is a Shakespearean play based on the themes of friendship, racial prejudice, deceptive appearances and love, of which the most romantic is the love between Portia and Bassanio. In contrast, the other two couples - Lorenzo and Jessica, Gratiano and Nerissa – exhibit playful or down-to-earth love. Portia is as faultless as one could imagine. She is blessed with beauty, heavenlyRead MoreExplore the Ways That Writers Use Contrast Within a Character or Between Characters to Interest the Reader or Audience.1878 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† and Michele Roberts’ â€Å"Your Shoes† both explore similar themes of contrast, particularly within characters to create interest for the reader or audience. Shakespeare’s play was written in the late 1500s, a time of strict gender and age roles where society was largely focussed on social class that was impacted highly on by religion. This in turn led to constant discrimination to those who were not in the highest social class. Despite â€Å"Your Shoes† beingRead MoreGender Roles And Roles Of William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice 1837 Words   |  8 Pages Gender plays an important role in Shakespeare’s comedies. Cross gender roles and cross dressing are essential not only for the inherent humour of the situation but also for the advancment of the plot. English Renaissance stereotypes of women and men and their various roles and responsibilities in society are reflected in Shakespeare. What sets Shakespeare apart is the fact that he also challenges, and at times even breaks down those stereotypes especially in his comedies. Hamlet may proclaim â€Å"FrailtyRead More Essay on Death and Love in The Merchant of Venice1666 Words   |  7 PagesDeath and Love in The Merchant of Venice      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Everyone loves a martyr. Hes that guy who not only suffered but died for his cause, his passion, his love. Bassanio may not be the most worthy cause to die for, but in Act IV of Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice, Antonio is resigned to do so. In his final words before Shylock is set to extract his pound of flesh, Antonio has abandoned efforts to prevent his punishment and assures Bassanio that the deed must be done for the benefit of all.Read MoreEssay on The Merchant of Venice2952 Words   |  12 PagesThe Merchant of Venice is shows the dynamics of love and to what extent humans will go to show love, they will use their wealth and even be prepared to give up their life for the people they love. Both Antonio and Portia love Bassanio differently. Portia perceives Antonio’s phileo in competition with her eros, (both forms of love will be defined later) and throughout the play she is seen trying to defeat Antonio’s phileo and she does this by subjugati ng Antonio, firstly with her wealth, she offersRead More Portrayal of Women in William Shakespeares Plays Essay3560 Words   |  15 PagesWilliam Shakespeares characterization of women varies immensely from one comedy to another. In his works, Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and Much Ado About Nothing, he portrays both dominant and submissive women. Ultimately, Shakespeare examines the complexity of women by displaying the vast array of attitudes, emotions, and their treatment and reaction to men as well as refuting the typical subservient wife role. In Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew, the difficultiesRead MoreInfluential Fathers2006 Words   |  9 PagesThings Fall Apart and Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice give impeccable examples of fathers failing to know their children.   In these literary selections, the  three things that interfere with  the  fathers relationships with their children are being overly protective and extra restrictive,  being neglectful and selfish, and setting impossible and unrealistic expectations.   The first example of how fathers can sometimes fail to know their child is in The Merchant of Venice involving JessicaRead More Cross-dressing in Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and The Merchant of Venice3276 Words   |  14 Pagesand The Merchant of Venice Any theatrical performance requires a two-fold exchange. The performers must act in such a way as to engage the audience and draw them into the story of the stage. However, the audience itself must yield to the imagination, allowing at times the irrational to take precedent over rational expectations. This exchange between performers and audience creates the dramatic experience; one cannot exist without the other. In the context of Shakespeares worksRead MoreStereotyping of Jews Essay1277 Words   |  6 Pagesinstance, Jews were limited to the types of occupations they could hold. They were banned from farming and entering guilds, so many of them became merchants and money-lenders (Singer). Since both these occupations dealt with the exchange money, dealing loans, setting prices, and charging interest, people began to stereotype the Jews as scheming merchants who demanded money from their customers, but refuse to give back the money they owed to others. Since then, the Jews have been popularly characterized