By: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Teacher,
Damphu Central School.
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Themes are a unifying
and often universal ideas that is a recurrent element explored in a literary or
artistic work. There are several themes in the play “The Merchant of Venice.”
Some of them are as follows:
Firstly, the play
has the theme of self-interest versus love and the play depicts it through different
religious channels. The Christian characters in the play are found to have more
value on human relationship over money than Jewish Character, Shylock where he
is more towards money than relationship. Antonio on one side is ready to borrow
money and risk his life for the sake of his love towards his friend Bassanio.
On the other side, Shylock worries and cries over the loss of his money when
his daughter runs away with her lover. It is evident that he has more value over
money than his own daughter. But, some kind of human relationship too matter to
Shylock as he is seen hurt when her daughter sold a ring given to him by his
wife. Apparently, he shows more interest on a pound of flesh than the money
offered to him by Bassanio in the court. In Shylock’s case greed overweighs his
love. In contrary to Shylock, although Portia and Bassanio come to love after
the selection of the right casket, Bassanio still is apprehensive to view his
relationship with Antonio because of money than his own love. Antonio on the
other hand hates Shylock simple because he is a Jew. Thus, they are found to be
not consistent in how they appear with their qualities.
Secondly, the
play has the theme of the divine quality of mercy that
befit a god. In the court we have seen that Shylock will have a clash with
other Christians over the issue of having mercy. It is evident that the law was
in Shylock’s favor, but many a times he refuse to have mercy. Portia tells him
that the quality of mercy is not strained and human being should be merciful
like the God is merciful. She tells that the attribute of mercy are even higher
than the “written command” of kings and such quality should favor justice. She
insisted that justice comes first, then mercy follows. She warns him, saying
that pursuing law without mercy can’t attain salvation. The very speech of
Portia gave lesson to the Duke and Antonio when they spared Shylock’s life at
the end of the play. The Duke, lastly,
pardons Shylock without hesitation, but Antonio insists on some conditions.
Here, mercy plays a greater role than any law made by men.
Furthermore, the play also have the theme of hatred as a recurring phenomenon as evident from Shylock
throughout the play. In the entire play, we find Shylock claiming that whatever
he is doing are from the lesson he learnt from his Christian neighbor. Right
from the introduction of Shylock in the play, we find him plotting to harm
Antonia because Antonio had insulted him many a time in front of his fellow
mates in the past. His same attitude continued again and again until the end of
the play, which is evident from the word he spoke to Antonio by saying ““The
villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better
the instruction.” On the other hand, it is not only Shylock who only executed
hatred again and again, but Antonio too did the same on Shylock by insulting
him in front of his friend again and again. He even show up his hatred upon
Shylock at the end in the court by demanding that he should convert himself
into Christian.
In addition to
it, the play has the theme of reality and idealism as it is shaped
somewhat on the contrast between idealistic and realistic opinions about
society and relationships. The play educates the audience, firstly about love
and money where it tries to tell us that love is more important than money.
Secondly, it also teaches us about mercy where it is more important than
revenge that enable us for salvation. Finally, it teaches us that love is
immortal that last forever beyond life. But, the irony behind it is that it
teaches us that money is everything that rules the world and could govern all life
because mercy and love alone cannot as it fade so easily. The shift of these
two concepts is very eminent in the play with the introduction of two settings,
one in Venice and another in Belmont where Venice represents business and money
and Belmont represent love and mercy.
Moreover, the
theme of loyalty revolves round the play through different characters
during the process of their activity. Firstly, the loyalty between Bassanio and
Antonio, whose friendship survives stressful situation in the play. It so
happened when Antonio lends money from Shylock with a promise to pay it back
for the sake of his friend, Bassanio. He had to undergo a trial in the court
for a pound of flesh. Towards the end of the play Bassanio reach to the court
from Belmont upon hearing the bad news about his friend to save him from his
debt to Shylock. Secondly, in the loyalty between Bassanio and Portia, his wife
Bassanio upon winning the lottery of casket promises Portia to come back soon
safely and will not cheat on her at any cost and leaves for Venice to save
Antonio, Portia gives him a ring and ask him to not to part with it. The act of
his disloyalty be seen in him when he gives the ring to the lawyer. Later,
Portia will understand his loyalty through Antonia which will reunite them
again. Finally, in the loyalty of Jessica towards her father, Shylock, she
proved to be disloyal by running away from her father’s house to a Christian
lover. She even proved to be more disloyal by stealing money from her father
while running away.
Lastly, the play also
has the theme of friendship that revolve round that is vital in the play. Most
importantly, the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is obvious as they are
found to be dedicated and ready to scarify for one another for the sake of
their friendship. Simultaneously, Bassanio willing to take Gratiano to Belmont
against his judgment is also the mar mark of their friendship. Moreover, the
friendship between Bassanio and Lorenzo too is remarkable as it is because of
his friendship with Lorenzo, that Portia agrees to entrust the care of her
estate to him when she leaves for Venice with Nerissa.
By: Santosh Kumar Biswa
