The Merchant of Venice : Themes
The Merchant of Venice is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Merchant of Venice.
Themes
Friendship: Friendship is very important in this play. Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio are all good friends. They help and support each other. Antonio helps Bassanio by giving him money and risking his life. Gratiano and Lorenzo go with Bassanio and are always ready to stand by friends. Portia and Nerissa are also true friends. Nerissa supports Portia in every situation, even in trouble. The play shows that real friends care for each other and never leave their friend alone in bad times.
Love and Marriage: Love is another main theme. Bassanio likes Portia and wants to marry her. Portia also likes Bassanio. The story has the love between Jessica and Lorenzo, too. They run away to be together. Portia and Bassanio’s marriage is only possible if Bassanio chooses the right casket. So, the play shows how people face rules, risks, and challenges for love and marriage. True love, trust, and luck are important in the story.
Justice and Mercy: Justice means getting what is fair by law, and mercy means showing kindness. In the court scene, Shylock wants strict justice—he wants a pound of flesh from Antonio. But Portia, as a lawyer, asks Shylock to show mercy. In the end, Portia uses the law to save Antonio. She also teaches that being kind is better than being cruel. The play teaches us that sometimes, showing mercy is more important than strict justice.
Prejudice and Discrimination: Prejudice means judging people unfairly. In this play, many people do not like Shylock because he is a Jew. They insult him and call him names. Even Antonio, the hero, is rude to Shylock for being different. Shylock is angry because of this. This shows how people can be mean because of religion or background. The play tells us that treating others badly or unfairly is wrong, and prejudice can cause a lot of pain.