How does Shakespeare present romantic love in the Merchant of Venice? 23/30 marks
KEY:
Improvements
Shakespeare presents romantic love as a sign of success that requires sacrifice, testing the
loyalty of the spouses within the romantic relationships in the play.
Shakespeare presents romantic love as a sign of fortune and success for those who fall in love
by focusing Bassanio’s speech in the extract on Portia’s economic value. The phrase “richly left”
suggests that suitors associate Portia’s value to her estate, ignoring her moral integrity, which
gives the impression that women are a means to gain what men desire which is represented by
the gold casket in the lottery. This idea of commercialising women is further explored in
Morocco’s speech in Act 2 scene 7, describing Portia as “a mortal breathing saint” perhaps
implying that Portia is divinity and holiness incarnate, attributing Portia with god-like qualities.
This religious imagery illustrates Portia as a relic, something to be worshipped, challenging
whether appearances should be valued above one’s personality. (need a concluding sentence
to link back to the question)
Furthermore, Shakespeare presents romantic love as sacrificial through religion, money and
appearances. For example, when Jessica decides to change her fate and marry she declares
she will “become a Christian and thy loving wife”. This emphasises that becoming a Christian
and entering into a marriage will bring happiness and will erase all problems and struggles.
However, in reality Christianity does not guarantee this in the play. This is supported by the
classical allusion to Pyramus and Thisbe and Medea and Jason in Act 5. These myths both
involve doomed love or betrayal which could foreshadow Lorenzo and Jessica’s tragic fate due
to their conflicting religious beliefs. Although Jessica converts to Christianity, Shakespeare
describes her as an “infidel” (indicate who says this quote and when in the play) highlighting that
she has been unfaithful to Judaism. This word others Jessica from the Christians and reveals
that her earlier presumptions of being saved through Christianity are untrue compared to reality.
(A further link to romantic love is required to end this paragraph)
In addition, Portia has to give up her independence and property when Bassanio chooses the
right casket. The quote “this house, these servants, this same myself are yours my Lord”
supports this point whilst further acknowledging the fact that Portia has been demoted in her
own household and has relinquished control over all her estate due to the presence of a man.
On one hand, the Elizabethan audience may view this marriage as a great fortune for Portia as
it was the completion of the sole purpose of a woman - marriage - a sign of societal success. On
the other hand, this marriage is a source of repression for Portia, enabling Bassanio to gain
power within their relationship and forcing Portia into the position of an obedient wife. (explore
whether Portia is obedient or not)
In contrast, in the extract, it is clear that the male perspective of marriage revolves around
commercializing and monetinizing the worth of Portia. The classical allusion to Jason and the
KEY:
Improvements
Shakespeare presents romantic love as a sign of success that requires sacrifice, testing the
loyalty of the spouses within the romantic relationships in the play.
Shakespeare presents romantic love as a sign of fortune and success for those who fall in love
by focusing Bassanio’s speech in the extract on Portia’s economic value. The phrase “richly left”
suggests that suitors associate Portia’s value to her estate, ignoring her moral integrity, which
gives the impression that women are a means to gain what men desire which is represented by
the gold casket in the lottery. This idea of commercialising women is further explored in
Morocco’s speech in Act 2 scene 7, describing Portia as “a mortal breathing saint” perhaps
implying that Portia is divinity and holiness incarnate, attributing Portia with god-like qualities.
This religious imagery illustrates Portia as a relic, something to be worshipped, challenging
whether appearances should be valued above one’s personality. (need a concluding sentence
to link back to the question)
Furthermore, Shakespeare presents romantic love as sacrificial through religion, money and
appearances. For example, when Jessica decides to change her fate and marry she declares
she will “become a Christian and thy loving wife”. This emphasises that becoming a Christian
and entering into a marriage will bring happiness and will erase all problems and struggles.
However, in reality Christianity does not guarantee this in the play. This is supported by the
classical allusion to Pyramus and Thisbe and Medea and Jason in Act 5. These myths both
involve doomed love or betrayal which could foreshadow Lorenzo and Jessica’s tragic fate due
to their conflicting religious beliefs. Although Jessica converts to Christianity, Shakespeare
describes her as an “infidel” (indicate who says this quote and when in the play) highlighting that
she has been unfaithful to Judaism. This word others Jessica from the Christians and reveals
that her earlier presumptions of being saved through Christianity are untrue compared to reality.
(A further link to romantic love is required to end this paragraph)
In addition, Portia has to give up her independence and property when Bassanio chooses the
right casket. The quote “this house, these servants, this same myself are yours my Lord”
supports this point whilst further acknowledging the fact that Portia has been demoted in her
own household and has relinquished control over all her estate due to the presence of a man.
On one hand, the Elizabethan audience may view this marriage as a great fortune for Portia as
it was the completion of the sole purpose of a woman - marriage - a sign of societal success. On
the other hand, this marriage is a source of repression for Portia, enabling Bassanio to gain
power within their relationship and forcing Portia into the position of an obedient wife. (explore
whether Portia is obedient or not)
In contrast, in the extract, it is clear that the male perspective of marriage revolves around
commercializing and monetinizing the worth of Portia. The classical allusion to Jason and the
