The Theme of Love in The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is one of the literature works by Shakespeare.  The play is characterized with several ingredients. In writing it, Shakespeare starts with an initial situation. He then introduces a conflict, complication, and climax. Shakespeare advances his work with a suspension. He then concludes in a remarkable way, making The Merchant of Venice an outstanding play. The paper aims at showing how this simple plot resulted in a famous play.

            Shylock introduces his story with a theme of love in which Antonio is afraid of losing Bassanio to a beautiful lady by name Portia (Shakespeare 6). However, Bassanio is unable to participate in the casket game that could allow him win Portia. The love for Bassanio influences Antonio to a strike a dangerous deal with Shylock to raise some money to help Bassanio (Shakespeare 33). After winning Portia through Antonio’s assistance, sad fate befalls Antonia as his ventures fail and he is required to repay Shylock through a pound of Flesh. The need for vengeance by Shylock leads to a climax in which Antonio is ready to have a knife for Shylock to take his pound of flesh (Shakespeare 141). The seriousness of the issue creates suspense as the reader finds it hard to determine Shylock’s value of Christianity. However, Shylock successfully concludes the story through Portia who reveals the trick that led to Antonia’s rescue from Shylock.

            Shylock’s play revolves around the theme of love. He successfully uses this theme to present the conflict between Shylock and Antonio. According to the play, Antonio’s decision to strike a deadly deal was influenced by his love for Bassanio. The play also shows that it is love that made Bassanio to lose his marriage ring to save Antonio’s life. Similarly, Portio’s love for Bassanio influenced her to disguise herself as a lawyer. According to Shylock, vengeance is a primary obstruction to love. The play concludes with the characters in love winning the case and enjoying life together.

Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. New York: The Floating Press, 2009. Print.