GCE A/L English Literature - Made Easy - Drama : The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare could be considered as the greatest writer in the Elizabethan era. Being "England's foremost dramatic poet" Shakespeare achieved much popularity. His seven plays are accepted by reputable critics as highly impressive and appreciable.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE IS A "ROMANTIC COMEDY" having a group of young men representing "an element of youthful whimsy" foe example salarino's description of Antonios ships as "rich burghers on the flood" and like birds flying their woven wings.

The sober character of Antonio and the presentation of the two young men shakespeare may have suggested in "compressed form two of the elements of the play - the real that the merchant of Venice will face and the world of youthful laughter which will be the background to the love stories of Bassanio and Portia, Lorenzo and Jessica Gratiano and Nerissa" (yahooeducation@cliffnotes).

The biblical allusions used in the drama may contrive to emphasise the religious aspect in certain instances and the movement of the dramatic poetry highlighting the shakes pearian quality in the play.

ACT 1 SCENE 1

The opening scene introduces Bassanio unfolding his love for Portia which creates the ROMANTIC PLOT and sets the "BOND STORY IN MOTION" Antonio, the wealthy merchant and Bassanio the carefree young lover seem to be "unduly concerned about money."

This is clearly depicted later in Shylock's "diametrical point of view" Shylock is a money lender and money alone is his only concern. Bassanio is quite innocent, true and straightforward with Antonio for their friendship is true and unconditional.

ACT 1 SCENE 2

Belmont. Portia is concerned about her father's will. Nerissa is her devoted and faithful maid. According to the Will she can't marry a man of her own choice. She has to accept the suitor who chooses the right chest from among the Three Chests, Gold, Silver and Lead.

Nerissa assures Portia of her father's will and that the one who chooses rightly would love her dearly. All the suitors who have come to Belmont for Portia's hand are found undesirable to take Portia's hand "deliberately reminiscient opening of scene 1" Portia is very beautiful, extremely rich, impressive, intelligent and her wit is brilliantly displayed in the incident in which Nerissa "urges Portia to reconsider her various suitors and Portia's strangely amusing comments.

In this instance Shakespeare gives his audience "THE CONVENTIONAL ELIZABETHAN SATIRIC VIEW" casting her comments on every suitor, Portia sensibly rejects each one's proposal.

This scene has three purposes. Firstly each suitor ventures to select the right casket.

The reader / spectator is introduced to Portia not as an object of Love and Wealth but as a charming personality, her perceptibility and her ability to outshine in "VERBAL COMBAT" This is a significant feature in Portia's role in the "development of the plot." She's able to outwit the cruel crafty shylock. This scene is also suggestive of Portia's affection for Bassanio.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.