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The Merchant of Venice: themes
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Money, mercy, justice and prejudice are tightly woven together. Appearance versus reality runs through the caskets.
Justice and mercy
Shylock insists on the law: he wants his bond.
Portia argues mercy is greater: it "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven".
Yet the Christians show Shylock little mercy in return.
Portia argues mercy is greater: it "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven".
Yet the Christians show Shylock little mercy in return.
Prejudice and outsiders
Shylock is insulted as a Jew; Morocco is judged by his skin colour.
The play invites debate about whether it shares or exposes the prejudices of its time.
The play invites debate about whether it shares or exposes the prejudices of its time.
Appearance and reality, money and love
The gold casket's scroll warns "All that glisters is not gold."
Bassanio's choice of plain lead shows true worth lies beneath the surface.
Money links everyone: Antonio's ships, Shylock's ducats, Portia's fortune.
Bassanio's choice of plain lead shows true worth lies beneath the surface.
Money links everyone: Antonio's ships, Shylock's ducats, Portia's fortune.
How do the caskets explore appearance and reality?
- Gold and silver look valuable but hold the wrong answers.
- Plain lead holds Portia's portrait.
- So true value is not shown on the surface.
Answer: The showy caskets mislead; the plain one is right, showing appearances deceive.
Themes: justice versus mercy, prejudice (religion, race), appearance versus reality (caskets), and money and love.
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